Many women get their Pap tests and mammogramsright on schedule. But whenit comes to colorectal cancer, womenaren’t quite as diligent, according to arecent study in the journal Cancer. Justover half of adults between ages 55 and70 had undergone the colorectal cancerscreening recommended for adults age50 and older. And women were less likelythan men to have been screened.
Women are just as likely as mento develop colorectal cancer, says theAmerican College of Gastroenterology.Colon cancer is most common afterage 50, but the chances of developingthis disease increase after age 40. Thegood news is that colorectal cancer ispreventable, treatable, and curable—if caught early.
Fortunately, regular screening can belifesaving in two ways. First, screeningcan help detect the disease at an earlier,more treatable state. Second, screeningsometimes reveals lesions called polyps.While colorectal polyps usually are notcancerous, most colorectal cancers dobegin in polyps. Having these polypsremoved could prevent colorectal cancer.
There are more methods to screenfor colorectal cancer than for any othercancer. According to the AmericanCollege of Gastroenterology, thepreferred approach is:
- Colonoscopy every 10 years. Adoctor inspects the colon and rectumusing a flexible, lighted tube whileyou have received some sedativemedication. During this procedure,tissue samples can be examined andpolyps can be removed. While the10-year recommendation is made fornormal-risk individuals, those withclose relatives who have had colorectalcancer or persons with certaindigestive conditions may need to bescreened earlier than age 50. Talk toyour doctor.
An alternative screening strategyincludes:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every fiveyears. A doctor inspects the walls ofthe rectum and part of the colon usinga flexible, lighted tube.
- And fecal occult blood testingonce a year. A laboratory checksfor hidden blood in three differentstool samples.