Colon disease
patient resources

 

 

Take risk assessment


Let us help you on your journey.

We have resources to help you increase your knowledge about maintaining your colon health, and diagnosing and treating certain colon diseases.

Colon cancer risk assessment

Identify your risk level for colon cancer. Then share the results with your doctor.

Doctor discussion guide

The American Cancer Society recommends that people with an average risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) start screening at age 45.1,2 However, people with higher risks may need to consider screening sooner.1,3,4 Use this downloadable question guide that includes points to cover when you meet with your doctor. 

Frequently asked questions

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Q: At what age should I get my first colorectal cancer screening?

A: The age at which you should get your first colorectal screening depends on a variety of risk factors which you should discuss with your doctor.1 The American Cancer Society recommends people with average risk factors get screened starting at age 45 and at regular intervals thereafter.1 People with higher risk for CRC may need to be screened earlier and more frequently as recommended by their physician.1-4

Q: What are the most common risk factors for colorectal cancer?

Q: How common is colorectal cancer?

Q: What are my screening options?

Q: What is a colorectal polyp?

Q: What are adenoma detection rates (ADR) and why are they important?

1

Ahmed M. Colon Cancer: A clinician’s perspective in 2019. Gastroenterology Research. 2020;13(1):1–10

2

Wolf AMD, Fontham ETH, 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(4):250–281.

3

Gausman V, Dornblaser D, Anand S, et al. Risk factors associated with early-onset colorectal cancer. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2020;18(12):2752–2759.

4

Bailey CE, Hu C-Y, You YN, et al. Increasing disparities in the age-related incidences of colon and rectal cancers in the United States, 1975-2010. JAMA surgery. 2015.

5

Sekiguchi M, Kakugawa Y, Nakamura K, et al. Family history of colorectal cancer and prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasia in asymptomatic screened populations in different age groups. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 2020;91(6):1361–1370.

6

Schaberg MN, Smith KS, Greene MW, Frugé AD. Characterizing demographic and geographical differences in health beliefs and dietary habits related to colon cancer risk in U.S. adults. Frontiers in nutrition. 2020;7:568643.

7

DeSantis CE, Siegel RL, Sauer AG, et al. Cancer statistics for African Americans, 2016: Progress and opportunities in reducing racial disparities. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2016;66(4):290

8

Øines M, Helsingen LM, Bretthauer M, Emilsson L. Epidemiology and risk factors of colorectal polyps. Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology. 2017;31(4):419–424.

9

They found colon polyps: now what? Follow-up exams at the right time are essential to prevent cancer from developing. Harvard men’s health watch. 2013;18(1):5.

10

Ransohoff DF. How much does colonoscopy reduce colon cancer mortality? Ann Intern Med. 2009;150(1):50–52.

11

Corley DA, Jenson CD, Marks AR JR, et al. Adenoma detection rate and risk of colorectal cancer and death. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2014;370:2539–2541.