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screening saves lives. Yet colorectal screening rates remain very low even though Medicare and many private plans pay for screening tests. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention said that there were only 41 percent of men and women over the age of 50 who had colonoscopy screenings in the last five years.
Other gastrointestinal problems like heartburn, otherwise known as acid or gastroesophageal reflux disease affects many Americans from all age groups
Part of the reason for people not getting colorectal screenings is that it is not a comfortable and simple procedure. However, early screening can save lives because colon cancer can be treated. When a colonoscopy is performed a gastroenterologist looks inside the colon for pre-cancerous growths that are called colon polyps. Colon cancer is prevented when the growths or polyps are removed early during the colonoscopy screening.
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends that people over the age of 50 get a colonoscopy screening every 10 years. They also say that other alternative screenings are available. There is an annual stool test for blood and also a flexible sigmoidoscopic exam that is every 5 years. The sigmoidoscopic exam however does not allow for the image and removal of the polyps or other abdominal adhesions.
If you have a family history of colon cancer it is recommend that you start at age 40 or 10 years younger then the age of the youngest relative who was first diagnosed with colon cancer. African Americans should begin screenings at the age of 45. For more information about colon cancer prevention, contact your local gastroenterology specialists to learn more.
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