Image Source: vadimguzhva/iStock.com
The American Cancer Society has recently lowered its guidelines regarding colon cancer screening. It is now recommended that people should start getting screened at age 45 instead of at 50. Research has showed that people are getting colon cancer at younger and younger ages within the U.S. While there is no direct cause associated with this increase, the trend is clear enough to warrant a shift in the age guidelines.
1 Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S. There are an estimated 97,220 new cases of colon cancer in 2018. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is: about 1 in 22 (4.49%) for men and 1 in 24 (4.15%) for women.
Lower your risk of colon cancer
Unfortunately, you cannot prevent colon cancer. You can, however, take steps to lower your risk.
Here are a few tips to help lower your risk:
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
Have a diet high in vegetables, fruits and wholegrains
Avoid excess alcohol
Stop smoking
Most importantly, get tested if you’re age 45+
What are symptoms of colon cancer?
Bleeding from the rectum
Blood in the stool
Abdominal cramping
A change in the shape of the stool, diarrhea, constipation
A change in bowel habits, or the feeling you need to make a bowl movement but there is none
If you notice any symptoms, go to your doctor for a checkup.
If you have any additional questions regarding your medications,
reach out to the Tria Health Help Desk: 1.888.799.8742