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Colon Cancer Awareness
Colon Cancer Awareness: Why Colorectal Cancer Screening Matters
March is recognized as colon cancer awareness month, but protecting your colorectal health is important all year long. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death amongst men and women in the United States, and the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 55,000 people will die from colorectal cancer in 2026.
The good news? Colorectal cancer is often preventable with regular screening. Screening can find colorectal cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage—and certain screening tests, particularly colonoscopy, can identify and remove precancerous polyps before they have the opportunity to become cancer.
When Is Colon Cancer Screening Recommended?
One of the biggest changes in recent years is the age at which average-risk adults should begin screening.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults ages 45 to 75 who are at average risk and do not have symptoms or a personal history of colorectal cancer, adenomatous polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or certain inherited genetic conditions. For adults ages 76 to 85, screening should be considered individually based on overall health, previous screening history, and personal preferences.
The American Cancer Society’s updated 2026 guideline also recommends beginning screening at age 45 for average-risk adults. That means if you’re 45 or older and haven’t started colorectal cancer screening, now is a good time to talk with one of our gastroenterologists at Digestive Healthcare Center about your options.
Colonoscopy Is One Option for Colorectal Cancer Screening
A colonoscopy is one of several recommended colorectal cancer screening options. For average-risk adults, the USPSTF recommends colonoscopy every 10 years when colonoscopy is selected as the screening method. Other options include annual FIT testing, stool DNA-FIT testing at recommended intervals, CT colonography, and flexible sigmoidoscopy.
What makes colonoscopy particularly valuable is that it can both detect and prevent colorectal cancer, so it acts as both a screening test and preventative measure for colon cancer. During the procedure, your gastroenterologist examines the lining of the colon for polyps or other abnormalities. If a precancerous polyp is found, it can often be removed during the same procedure.
This is an important part of the Colon Cancer Prevention Program at Digestive Healthcare Center: helping patients understand their risk, stay current with recommended screening, and take action before colorectal cancer develops.
What Happens During a Colonoscopy?
Many people put off a colonoscopy because they’re worried about the preparation or the procedure itself. Understanding what to expect can make the experience less intimidating.
Before your colonoscopy, you’ll follow specific bowel preparation instructions to clean the colon. Your gastroenterologist at Digestive Healthcare Center will provide instructions for the particular preparation prescribed for you. Following those instructions carefully is important because an inadequate bowel preparation can make it more difficult to see polyps and other abnormalities.
During the colonoscopy, medication is typically used to help you remain comfortable. Your gastroenterologist carefully examines the colon and looks for polyps, inflammation, bleeding, or other abnormalities.
The length of the procedure varies depending on the individual patient and whether polyps or other findings require treatment.
Why Colonoscopy Quality Matters
Not all colonoscopies are the same. The quality of the examination matters because the goal isn’t simply to complete the procedure—it’s to thoroughly examine the colon and identify potentially precancerous lesions.
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) updated their colonoscopy quality indicators in 2024. Among the key measures are:
- Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR): The updated minimum performance target is 35% overall for eligible patients, with sex-specific thresholds of 40% for men and 30% for women when measured separately.
- Sessile Serrated Lesion Detection Rate: The minimum performance target is 6%.
- Bowel preparation adequacy: At least 90% of examinations should have an adequate preparation.
- Cecal intubation rate: The target is at least 95%, meaning the colonoscope successfully reaches the end of the colon near where the appendix is located.
- Screening and surveillance interval adherence: Recommended follow-up intervals should be followed appropriately.
These measures help gastroenterology practices monitor the quality and safety of colonoscopy and identify opportunities for continued improvement.
Colon Cancer Risk Factors
Age is an important risk factor for colorectal cancer, but it isn’t the only one. Risk can also be influenced by:
- A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Excess body weight
- Physical inactivity
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
- A diet high in red and processed meats
- Certain inherited genetic conditions
The presence of a risk factor may mean that you need to begin screening earlier or undergo screening more frequently than someone at average risk.
If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, talk with your gastroenterologist rather than waiting until age 45 to determine when screening should begin.
What Women Should Know About Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer affects both women and men. In fact, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the United States.
There is no separate starting age for routine average-risk screening based solely on being a woman. This means women’s colonoscopy and colorectal cancer screening should be part of the conversation about preventive healthcare beginning at age 45 for average-risk women.
Women should also be aware that symptoms should never be dismissed simply because they are younger than the routine screening age. Changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, unexplained iron-deficiency anemia, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
What About Colon Spasms or a "Spastic Colon"?
Some people use terms such as spastic colon, colon spasms, colon spasm, colonic spasm, or colon cramps to describe abdominal discomfort, cramping, or changes in bowel habits.
“Spastic colon” is an older, nonspecific term that is sometimes used to describe symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is not the same thing as colorectal cancer.
If you’re experiencing persistent abdominal cramping, changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, or other concerning symptoms, don’t assume that you are experiencing a spastic colon attack or that your symptoms are simply IBS. A gastroenterologist can help determine what causes colon spasms and whether additional evaluation is appropriate.
There is no single spastic colon cure, and the treatment of spastic colon depends on the underlying cause of the symptoms. If you’re wondering how to treat a spastic colon, the first step is getting an accurate diagnosis rather than treating symptoms based on an internet search.
Colorectal Cancer Is Increasing Among Younger Adults
Colorectal cancer is no longer a disease we should think of as affecting only older adults.
According to the American Cancer Society’s 2026 statistics, colorectal cancer rates have been increasing among adults younger than 65, while rates have continued to decline among adults 65 and older. Nearly half of new colorectal cancer diagnoses are now occurring in people younger than 65.
That is one reason the recommended starting age for average-risk colorectal cancer screening was lowered from 50 to 45.
When colorectal cancer is found while it is still localized, the outlook is much better. The current American Cancer Society data show a 91% five-year relative survival rate for localized colon cancer and 90% for localized rectal cancer.
Screening can help find cancer earlier—and, in the case of colonoscopy, can help prevent it by removing precancerous polyps.
Don't Wait to Protect Your Colorectal Health
Colorectal cancer screening doesn’t have to be something you keep putting off. There are multiple screening options, and Digestive Healthcare Center can help you determine which approach makes sense based on your age, health, family history, and personal preferences.
At Digestive Healthcare Center, our Colon Cancer Prevention Program is focused on helping patients understand their colorectal cancer risk and stay current with recommended screening.
If you’re 45 or older and haven’t been screened, or if you have risk factors that may require earlier screening, talk with a gastroenterologist today.
Don’t wait for symptoms to take your colorectal health seriously. Screening could save your life—and in many cases, it can prevent colorectal cancer before it starts.
Make an Appointment for Comprehensive Digestive Care in NJ
At Digestive Healthcare Center, we want each patient at our three offices in New Jersey to feel confident about their digestive health. We encourage you to contact us today to make an appointment with one of our expert gastroenterologists – don’t wait to start putting your digestive health first!
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