In both men and women, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death with more than 200,000 cases in the U.S. each year. Yet, it is a form of cancer that is majorly preventable and easily detected early through the use of colonoscopy. Colonoscopies are the primary screening method for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer occurs in men and women equally, therefore, it is recommended for everyone to begin getting colonoscopies at the age of 50, unless there is a family history of the disease.

It is recommended to get colonoscopies every 10 years after the age of 50 unless polyps are found—which you are then recommended to get a colonoscopy every 3-5 years. For individuals with a family history of colon cancer, it may be recommended to begin getting colonoscopies before the age of 50, and continue to get them every five years.

Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include rectal bleeding, substantial change in bowel habits, unexplained abdominal pain and/or unusual weight loss. Symptoms of colorectal cancer often do not occur until the late stages of the disease, when treatment and curing it can prove much more difficult. The risk for developing colorectal cancer increases with age, family history of the disease, obesity, use of alcohol, and smoking, but many cases of colorectal cancer are spontaneous. The late presenting symptoms and spontaneity of the disease also emphasizes the importance of getting screened through the use of colonoscopy.

Colon cancer usually develops between the ages of 50-80. However, there are growing numbers of colorectal cancer diagnosis in young adults. Current estimates indicate that nearly 10% of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer are under the age of 50.

Through the use of colonoscopy, gastroenterologists can not only detect and diagnose malignancies in the colon, but they can also detect and remove possibly pre-cancerous polyps lining the colon —significantly decreasing the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Despite common belief, colonoscopies are painless procedures in which the patient is properly sedated and gastroenterologists are actually able to remove any polyps discovered during the colonoscopy procedure as well.