A Few Lesser Known Colon Cancer Facts
More or less we all know about colorectal cancer and how important colon cancer screening is. A large number of citizens in the United States ignore screening at the right age and it makes them suffer later. Today we have listed some of the essential factors of colon cancer and its screening for better convenience. Make sure after going through this you would not miss screening at the right time.
The right age for colorectal cancer screening is 45. Colon cancer occurs in colon and rectal cancer occurs in rectum – together both are known as colorectal cancer.
This one is the third most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death due to cancer.
It is not gender, race, nationality biased.
Most of the people affected by this fall under the 66 age group.
90% of patients diagnosed with Stage 1 and 2 survive for 5 years. This five year survival rate for stage 3 patients are 71% and 14% for stage 4.
Often affected people do not show any symptoms.
Family History
People who have their siblings or close family members with blood relation suffering from colon cancer have more chances of getting affected.
The people with family history should start colonoscopy screening earlier than the people who do not have.
Colorectal Cancer in Young People
In 2020, almost 18000 new cases of colon cancer are registered and most people lie under the age group of 50. This is equivalent to 49 cases every day.
One in the five people affected by colon cancer fall between ages 20 to 54.
With the age the risk increases and 90% of new cases show the people getting it are over 50.
People born after 1990 have twice the risk of getting colon cancer and people from 1950 have more risks of rectal cancer.
Younger adults are diagnosed more than the older adults since they are in the age of screening as per recommendation.
What about Screening?
Colonoscopy screening is the way out for colorectal cancer detection and prevention since this method eliminates polyps during the procedure that can lead to cancer later.
Men and women both should start screening at the age of 45.
There are plenty of test options available including inexpensive non-invasive tests.
Going through the colonoscopy screening assures you get the right treatment at the right time.
For colon cancer screening, see us at Digestive Disease Specialists in OKC. We offer endoscopy, EGD or upper endoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy and more.
**Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.
