The American Cancer Society released new guidelines for colorectal screening. They stated that screenings should start at 45 instead of 50. The reason they changed the guidelines because younger people are being diagnosed with this condition. People should get a colonoscopy or stool-based sample test starting at the age of 45.
Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in this country. Lifestyle choices influence cancer risk. Not eating enough vegetables, eating a lot of processed meat, smoking and drinking alcohol are some of the risk factors for colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society has stated that early screening can save lives by catching cancerous and precancerous polyps.
Katie Couric, who is a journalist, strongly recommends that people get colorectal cancer screening. Her husband passed away from the disease. Jimmy Kimmel, who is a television show host, also recommends that people get screened for colorectal cancer.
Andrew Chan is a gastroenterologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He stated that colon cancer rates have been declining since the 1980s because of screenings. However, colon cancer rates among people who were between the ages of 20 and 49 have increased. In fact, colon cancer rates among young people have increased by 51 percent since 1994.
Scientists are not sure about what is causing people to develop colon cancer at younger ages. However, they do believe that colon cancer is linked to inflammatory bowel disease. They also know that family history plays a role in the development of this condition.
People should talk to their doctor about when they should start getting screened for colon cancer. Doctors will make recommendations on your personal and family history. It is also important to note that there are things that you can do to decrease your risk of colon cancer. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking.
