Colon Cancer Awareness Month: A Time to Lower Your Risk

Did you know that more people under 50 are getting colon cancer? Even more worrying, the most common symptom of early colon cancer is no symptom at all.

Fortunately, colon cancer is highly beatable if you take the right steps at the right time.

Colon Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to learn how to lower your risk. A Genomic Life membership can be one part of that plan, alongside regular screenings.

Early Detection Through Screening

Colon cancer often starts as polyps. The good news is that screening can find them before they become cancer. To find polyps early, doctors often recommend at-home stool tests like Cologuard or in-office procedures like colonoscopies.

At-home tests look at a sample of your stool for DNA changes in cells that might mean you’ve developed—or might soon develop—colon cancer. They can also look for signs of blood in your stool. If you have a positive result, you will likely need more tests like a colonoscopy. If you have a negative result, you’ll typically need another stool test every three years.

During a colonoscopy, a doctor inserts a long, flexible scope into your rectum and colon while you’re sedated. The doctor looks for polyps and removes them during the exam. If no polyps are found, your doctor will usually recommend another colonoscopy in 10 years (although your doctor may recommend them more often if you or your relatives have had colon cancer).

DNA Screening to Understand Risk

For people at average risk, doctors generally recommend starting colonoscopies or stool tests at age 45. But if you’re at a higher risk than the average person, it’s important to start sooner.

You may be at higher risk if you or a family member had colon cancer in the past.

Another way to check your risk is DNA screening. That’s because some people have changes in their DNA that make them more likely to get colon cancer. If that’s the case, your doctor might suggest earlier or more frequent screening, lifestyle changes, or preventive medications. Learn more about the DNA screening included with your Genomic Life membership here.

It’s important to remember that everyone has some risk of colon cancer. A genetic result showing “no increased risk” does not mean “no risk at all.” That’s why regular screening, a healthy diet, being active, and other good habits are still important for everyone.

Risk Reduction

Lifestyle changes can also help reduce your chances of getting colon cancer. Those include:

• Eating more fruits, veggies, and whole grains
• Limiting red and processed meats
• Getting regular exercise
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Limiting alcohol intake and not smoking

Taking small steps now can make a big difference in your risk for colon cancer. If you ever receive a colon cancer diagnosis, our navigation team can help you overcome barriers, answer your questions about treatment options, and help you advocate for the resources you need—so you can feel confident in your next steps.

References

1.) Siegel RL, Wagle NS, Cercek A, Smith RA, Jemal A. Colorectal Cancer Statistics, 2023. CA Cancer J Clin. 2023; 73(3): 233-254. doi:10.3322/caac.21772.

2.) Wolf AMD, Church TR, et al. Colorectal Cancer Screening for Average-Risk Adults: 2018 Guideline Update from the American Cancer Society. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2018; 68: 250-281. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21457.