Our bodies become more vulnerable to certain illnesses and diseases as we age. One example of this is colorectal cancer (CRC) — which can also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where in the body it starts. It’s important for aging individuals to do regular CRC screening to maintain their colon health and also stay ahead of any early warning signs of cancer. When should you start colon cancer screening? What are your screening options? What happens if your results come back abnormal? Let’s dive in.

What is Colorectal Cancer, Exactly?

Before we talk about colon cancer screening, let’s make sure we understand what exactly colorectal cancer is.

As we mentioned a moment ago, colorectal cancer can start in the colon or rectum. Together, the colon and rectum make up the large intestine — also called the large bowel — although the colon makes up most of it. The large intestine is one part of the digestive system, which is called the gastrointestinal (GI) system.

Now, in most cases, CRC begins as a growth — called a polyp — on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Not all polyps will turn into cancer. It depends on the type:

• Adenomatous polyps (adenomas): There are three types within these: tubular, villous, and tubulovillous. These can sometimes turn into cancer.
• Hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps: These are more common but generally aren’t precancerous.
• Sessile serrated polyps (SSP) and traditional serrated adenomas (TSA): These have a higher probability of turning into cancer.

Aside from the type of polyp impacting the likelihood of cancer, larger and more abundant polyps can also be a sign.

How Serious is CRC?

If cancer starts in the colon or rectum, it can spread to other areas. This happens if it grows through the layers of the colon or rectum and has a chance to reach the blood, lymph nodes, and other parts of the body.

Colorectal cancer can be fatal. The American Cancer Society says that CRC is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Additionally, it’s the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women, combined.. They estimate it will cause about 52,550 deaths in 2023.

The reassuring news is that thankfully, colorectal cancer screening can help you catch the early warning signs of colon or rectal cancer. And early detection is vital in increasing the odds of treating and beating cancer, especially as you get older.

What is Colon Cancer Screening?

With CRC screening, a healthcare provider can look for signs of cancer even before the individual has any symptoms. When cancer or even simply abnormal tissues are found earlier on, it can make them easier to treat and increase the likelihood of overcoming the disease.

Regular screening for colon cancer begins around the age of 45. However, your provider might recommend it earlier if they believe you’re at an increased risk. Note that just because they’re telling you to get screened doesn’t mean they think you have cancer! Screening is designed to be proactive and catch something abnormal before it has the chance to worsen.

After considering multiple variables (like genetics, family history, and lifestyle habits), they might tell you to start at a different age, get screened more frequently, or use a specific screening method.

Speaking of which…

The 3 Main Types of Colon Cancer Screening

There are different ways you can get tested for CRC. Your provider might make a recommendation based on your individual factors. Here are the three current options:

Colonoscopy: During this procedure, the patient is put to sleep and the doctor inserts a tube into the rectum. This allows them to view the entire colon and rectum. If they find anything abnormal that warrants further testing, they can also conduct a biopsy (where they take a tissue sample) during the procedure. Furthermore, if they find any polyps, they can remove those as well. If you don’t have an increased risk of CRC (i.e., a normal exam), you can undergo a colonoscopy every 10 years. Stool-based screening: This is the more common screening method because it’s far less invasive than a colonoscopy. eNational offers colon cancer screening via stool-based testing to detect colon cancer in its early stages by looking for microscopic blood fragments in the specimen sample. We provide you with a kit to take home, which you use to obtain a small amount of stool. You return the test kit to our lab, and we take it from there. If you’re not at an increased risk of CRC (i.e., have a negative test result), you can do this type of screening once a year. Blood test: This is very new and still in the early stages of exploration, so it’s not a fully accepted method of screening. However, in the near future, the medical community hopes that reliable blood-based screening will be able to detect early warning signs of colorectal cancer.

If the results come back indicating that more information is needed, your provider might recommend further diagnostic testing.

Get Screened Early and Often to Protect Your Health

We know that talking about colorectal cancer screening isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. However, it should be a part of your overall preventative healthcare plan.

eNational has more than 2,700 locations around the United States, meaning that we’re never too far away. Our goal is to make colon cancer screening convenient, accessible, and affordable. You can order your test online in a few clicks, and you don’t even need to see your healthcare provider beforehand. Learn more about our colon cancer screening and order your test today.