Colon cancer. A large part of cancer prevention is cancer screening so let’s talk about when and what you should be doing when the time comes to get your behind checked! (And everyone should!)
🔷What is screening? Screening is done on people who are at risk of getting cancer but who have NO symptoms and generally feel fine.
Did you know that when colon cancer is caught early 9/10 people can be cured?👏
🔷Screening Recommendations (@cancercareontario):
🔸The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a screening test for people at average risk of getting colorectal cancer. FIT is used instead of the guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) which used to be Ontario’s colorectal cancer screening test. As of Dec 24, 2019 labs in Ontario will no longer test ColonCancerCheck gFOBT kits.
☑AGE :50-74
NO family history (average risk)
TEST: FIT screening test OR flexible sigmoidoscopy
Start: age 50
Frequency: Every 2 years (FIT) OR every 10 years (sigmoidoscopy)
🔸IF an abnormal FIT result – colonoscopy should be done within 8 weeks.
.
☑AGE: ANY
First degree relative with colon cancer BEFORE age 60 (increased risk)
TEST: Colonoscopy
Start: age 50 or 10 years earlier than age relative was diagnosed with colon cancer (whichever is first)
Frequency: Every 5 years
.
☑AGE: ANY
First degree relative with colon cancer AFTER age 60 (increased risk)
TEST: Colonoscopy
Start: age 50 or 10 years earlier than age relative diagnosed with colon cancer (whichever is first)
Frequency: Every 10 years
Keep in mind if you have rectal bleeding or diarrhea already colonoscopy can be used to test for colon cancer for those who already have some of these potential symptoms.
Younger populations (<50yoa) are getting diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer so don’t ignore symptoms that don’t seem to be made better with any lifestyle changes or that are persistent or increasingly getting worse.
Get behind checking your behind!!😁 It’s one small important step to our ability to CURE cancer before it starts or spreads!
To our health,
Dr. Becky ND