Global reports show that colorectal cancers are increasing in young people. The recommended age to begin colonoscopy screening is 45, but some people should start sooner.
Since late 1990’s, it has been found that colorectal cancer has moved up from the fourth cause of cancer death in people under 50 to the first cause of cancer death in men and second in women. But when it comes to colorectal cancer detection, only adults between the ages of 45 and 75 should be screened. Colonoscopy is termed as the gold standard for screening by medical professionals worldwide. With rising rates of colorectal cancer instances in younger adults, those who are in high risk should not wait until 45 for their first colonoscopy. Experts say certain symptoms, personal health history and family health history is reason enough to get screened before then. Here are some symptoms you should consider as red flags.
Blood in the stool. If you see blood in the stool on and off, you should see your doctor. Blood in your stool is not always indicative of cancer but it can be a sign. The passage of blood, even if it’s just blood on the toilet paper and you think it’s probably hemorrhoids, you should get that checked out. Whether it’s bright red or dark brown blood, or causing black, tarry stool, you should tell your physician.
Persistent bowel changes. Any change in bowel habits and appearance – whether it’s going more or less often than you usually do, or a difference in the shape or consistency of your stool ― can be a red flag. Persistent constipation is another warning sign. It’s important to bring up bowel changes to your doctor if they last for more than a few days. Your doctor is the best person to determine whether you need a colonoscopy or not.
Sudden abdominal pain or weight loss. Unexplained abdominal pain can be cause for concern. This can range from cramps to general discomfort to full-on pain. Discomfort will vary depending on the person’s perception and pain tolerance. If you lose weight without trying, that’s likewise a sign you should see your doctor and ask about a potential colonoscopy.
Family history of colon cancer. If you have a parent, sibling or child with a history of colorectal cancer, you should be screened before the age of 45. Just having one first-degree relative with colorectal cancer increases your risk to about two times higher, and if that first-degree relative had their colon cancer at 50 or younger, your risk is up to three times higher. If you have a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer, the recommendation is that you get your first colonoscopy at age 40, or ten years before the age your family member was when they were diagnosed, whichever comes first. If your parents or siblings had large polyps, you should also be screened at 40.
During colonoscopy, if your medial practitioner sees a polyp and believe it to be the precancerous kind (which the vast majority are), they will remove the polyps at the colonoscopy and thus reduce the colorectal cancer risk going forward. Polyps aren’t often a frequent topic of discussion among family members, so it’s important to be open about your health.
Abnormal abdominal pain is one potential sign of colorectal cancer. Iron deficiency anemia, inflammatory bowel disease or history of certain cancers.
Iron deficiency anemia, inflammatory bowel disease or history of certain cancers. Iron deficiency anemia is extremely common in young women but it can be a red flag in some cases. Menstruation can be the cause of iron deficiency anemia, but if your OB-GYN thinks there is cause for concern, they will advise a colonoscopy. Iron deficiency in males is always cause for concern, and a colonoscopy should be discussed with your doctor.
If you have inflammatory bowel disease, you’ll want to get a colonoscopy before age 45 as well. Any sort of inflammation that involves the colon can put you at risk for precancerous changes called dysplasia, or colon cancer.
There are other medical conditions as well. For example, if someone has had radiation treatment to the pelvic or abdominal area for other reasons, that also could increase your risk of colon cancer.
If you have a personal history of colorectal cancer, you are at heightened risk, too. Additionally, if you carry an alteration in one of the cancer genes, you should also start colorectal cancer surveillance early.
People at higher risk due to family history or symptoms should have colonoscopy. But if you’re 45 or older with no risk factors, and you are avoiding getting screened because of fear of colonoscopies or issues with the prep, you do have other screening options, including fecal tests and CT scans.
The most important thing is to get your screening if you are in the screening age. Colorectal cancer mortality can be decreased by at least 50% with active screening.
With colorectal cancer rates in young people rising, don’t wait until you are 45 to get screened for colorectal cancer. Studies show that those who were born in the 1990s have twice as high the risk of colon cancer, four times as high the risk of rectal cancer compared to those who were born in the 1950s. It’s important to take family history, personal health history and symptoms seriously. If you have any concerns, no matter how small they might seem, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about a colonoscopy.
Colorectal cancer is preventable if you avail yourself of the available testing to find it early and to remove the polyps that become cancer before they have a chance to do so. Being on top of your health is never a bad idea. At minimum, it can help you get in control any other bothersome symptoms. And in some cases, it just might save your life.
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