Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. It accounts for nearly 10% of all cancer deaths. This cancer is treatable if detected at stage one. Therefore, regular colon cancer screening is the best way to prevent it. The American Cancer Society (ACS) has released an updated guideline for colorectal cancer screening.

The following are the new guidelines as per the new recommendations by the ACS:

• People at average risk of colorectal cancer should start regular screening at age 45.
• People who are in good health and have a life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue regular colorectal cancer screening through the age of 75.
• People of ages 76 through 85 should get advice from their medical provider aboutwhether to be screened, based on their own personal preferences, life expectancy, overall health and prior screening history.
• People over 85 should no longer get colorectal cancer screening.

The new recommended guidelines also include colorectal cancer screening tests. These include stool-based tests and visual exams in the frequencies given below.

Stool-based tests:

• Highly sensitive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year
• Highly sensitive guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) every year
• Multi-targeted stool DNA test (MT-sDNA) every 3 years

Visual exams:

• Colonoscopy every 10 years
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG) every 5 years

It is strongly advised that everyone talk to their health care provider about which tests may be good options for them.

Guidelines for those at higher than average risk

The new guideline recommends that people with higher risk should start colorectal cancer screening before age 45. In addition, higher risk people should be screened more often and get specific tests. People at higher or increased risk are those with:

• A family history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps
• A personal history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps
• A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
• A family history of a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (also known as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC)
• A personal history of radiation to the abdomen or pelvic area to treat a prior cancer

Don’t Wait. Get Screened Today

Polymedco CDP, LLC is a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor in the clinical laboratory marketplace. We supply clinical, diagnostic test kits and devices that specialize in colon cancer. Get FIT, a simple, affordable, non-invasive test that you can do in the privacy of your own home. Call us at 888-638-7757 or email at tpucci@polymedco.com.