If you’re over the age of 50, chances are that your doctor has talked to you about getting the dreaded colonoscopy or undergoing some other form of colorectal cancer screening. Most people think this is just another inconvenience forced on them as they start to age, a recommendation that’s nice but is often taken as a suggestion rather than a necessity. Most people are wrong.
Studies show that only ⅔ of age-appropriate Americans are up to date on their colorectal cancer screening, and many of those individuals haven’t ever been screened. With clear screening guidelines in place from the American Cancer Society and so much evidence backing the importance of early detection, it begs the question: “why?”.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and we can’t think of a better time to educate about the different types of colorectal cancer screening tests that are available and to help patients understand why it’s so important to follow their doctor’s colorectal cancer screening recommendations.
Why Colorectal Cancer Screening Matters
When it comes to colorectal cancer, a lot of people just don’t understand how important it is to get screened. We hear the word “colonoscopy” and we’re like “Nope, I don’t want to put myself through that! I would be able to tell if I had cancer”. Many people have a reactive approach to healthcare, but when it comes to conditions like colorectal cancer - which oftentimes doesn’t present with any symptoms until it’s in the later stages - if you wait to get tested until you’re feeling symptoms then you’ve waited too long.
When you’re undergoing regular screening for colorectal cancer, it allows your doctor to detect the disease in its earliest stages. This is something you’ll hear referred to as “early detection”, and it really does save lives. In fact, it’s estimated that approximately 60% of colorectal cancer deaths could have been prevented by regular screenings and early detection. Catching colorectal cancer early gives you the best chance at treating and eradicating the condition, and undergoing regular screening drastically increases your chances of surviving colorectal cancer.
Regular screening is your best weapon against colorectal cancer.
Types Of Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
Another thing people don’t realize is that there are a ton of different types of colorectal cancer screening options available, so if you’re super anti-colonoscopy then there are other options. There are several different types of screening tests for colorectal cancer out there, and which test you end up getting may vary based on a number of factors like your risk level, your age, your doctor’s recommendations, what’s covered by your insurance, and your personal preferences. In general, these are the most common colorectal cancer screening tests:
Virtual Colonoscopy (also known as CT colonography)
If you’re the right age and your doctor has recommended starting regular colorectal cancer screening, it’s incredibly important that you comply with their recommendations - whether you have a family history of colorectal cancer or not. Regular screening is one of the most powerful tools in your cancer-prevention arsenal, and one simple screening test could be the difference between winning or losing the battle with colorectal cancer. Schedule your screening test with a colorectal cancer doctor today!