Reduce your risk: Colon cancer screening and early detection

March doesn’t just mean the first day of spring. It’s also National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month—the ideal time to learn more about colon cancer screenings and why early detection is so important.

The American Cancer Society estimates that colorectal cancer will be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in 2025. And of those, over 800 will be people in Louisiana. Fortunately, colon cancer is preventable and treatable if we find it in its earliest stages during regular screenings.

Make sure you know when and how to get screened for colon cancer.

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum, both of which make up the large intestine. Most colorectal cancers develop slowly over several years. Before cancer develops, a tissue or tumor growth usually starts as a noncancerous polyp on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.

Some polyps can become cancerous. That’s why screening tests are so helpful—they can find precancerous polyps, so we can remove them before they turn into cancer.

What are colon cancer symptoms?

Colon cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. The benefit of screenings is they can detect cancer that you likely won’t notice until it’s more advanced. If you do have colon cancer symptoms, you may notice:

• Blood in your stool
• A change in your bowel habits
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Persistent stomach aches, pains, or cramps
• Unexplained weight loss

What puts me at a higher risk for colon cancer?

Here are a few colon cancer risk factors that increase your risk for colon cancer:

• Age—as you get older, your risk for colon cancer goes up
• Family history of colon cancer or colorectal polyps
• Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Lifestyle factors, such as not enough physical activity, an unhealthy diet high in fat but low in fiber, tobacco use, obesity, and alcohol consumption

While you may not have control over your age or family history, you can help lower your risk for colorectal cancer by focusing on positive lifestyle factors. But the best way to reduce your risk is to get regular screenings.

What are my colon cancer screening options?

There are two main types of colon cancer screenings: stool tests and visual exams. The best test for you depends on your age, current health, medical history, family history, and personal preferences.

Talk to your doctor to find out when and how often to get screened and which test is right for you.

Stool DNA test

A DNA-focused stool test for colon cancer looks for DNA cell changes in the stool that might be signs of cancer. The test also checks for hidden blood in the stool. To complete the test, you collect an entire bowel movement using a special container. Then, the sample goes to a lab for testing.

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)

FOBTs and FITs look for hidden (also called occult) blood in the stool, which may mean you have cancer or a polyp. For these tests, you collect a small amount of your stool with a brush or wooden applicator. Then you smear it on a special card that can find blood. In most cases, you need to follow this process for a few bowel movements. You send the cards to your provider’s office or a lab.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is the most common colorectal screening test. It helps a gastroenterologist look at your rectum and entire colon, using a colonoscope—a long, lighted tube with a small camera. The colonoscope goes into your rectum and colon to check for polyps or other abnormal areas. Your provider can usually remove any polyps during the procedure and send them to a lab for testing.

At some LCMC Health locations, patients have the option for an enhanced screening that uses artificial intelligence to detect polyps in real-time. It’s basically a second set of eyes, pointing out concerning lesions for the gastroenterologist to review.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a test where your provider inserts a sigmoidoscope into your rectum to look at your rectum and the lower part of your colon. A sigmoidoscope is a thin, lighted tube with a small camera on the end. Your provider checks for polyps or other abnormal areas and can remove and send them to a lab for testing.

Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography)

A virtual colonoscopy is a special CT scan of the colon and rectum. After taking CT images, the computer combines them to create a 3D picture. Your provider reviews the image for polyps or cancer.

When and how often should I get screened for colorectal cancer?

Unfortunately, there has been an increase in colorectal cancer in younger people. That’s why now, people at an average risk for colon cancer should start screening at age 45 and continue until at least age 75, according to the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society.

They recommend either:

• A colonoscopy every 10 years
• A flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years (or every 10 years with a yearly FIT stool test)
• A virtual colonoscopy every 5 years
• A FOBT or FIT every year
• A stool DNA test every 1–3 years

Colon Cancer Care if You Need It

With proper prevention and regular screening, you can lower your risk of colon cancer and celebrate good health for a long time to come. If you need cancer care, our LCMC Health oncologists are here to support you through your journey. Learn more about Cancer Care services near you.