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Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum, called a polyp. Not all polyps are cancerous, but some can develop into cancer.2
CRC is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.3
CRC affects everyone. However, African Americans have an increased risk of colorectal cancer and death from CRC as compared to other races.4
In the US, approximately 10% of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals under age 50.5
Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing in the young-onset population.6
Screening is recommended to start earlier than age 50 in those with a family history of colorectal cancer, colorectal polyps, or certain genetic syndromes.6
Complete this assessment to identify your risk level for colon cancer. Then share the results with your doctor.
If you're 45 or older, you have to get this test. Because if you have a polyp, and they remove the polyp, you’re not going to get the cancer from that polyp. It’s not debatable.
- Helen, Colon Cancer Survivor
HEALTH
Obesity and inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis
FAMILY
A history of colorectal cancer, colorectal polyps, or certain genetic syndromes
SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE*
Rectal bleeding, Cramping or abdominal pain, Weakness or fatigue, Unintended weight loss
AGE
More than 90% of cases are people older than 501
LIFESTYLE
Poor diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, and a lack of physical activity
One screening method, a colonoscopy, allows for early detection and immediate removal of pre-cancerous colorectal polyps.
Learn more about symptoms at www.cancer.org
Muthukrishnan M, Arnold LD, James AS. Patients’ self-reported barriers to colon cancer screening in federally qualified health center settings. Preventive Medicine Reports. 2019;15.
Patel K, Li K, Tao K, et al. A comparative study on polyp classification using convolutional neural networks. PLoS ONE. 2020;15(7):1.
Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Cancer statistics 2018. CA Cancer J Clin 2018;68:7–30.
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.
Key statistics for colorectal cancer American Cancer Society website: www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
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.
Preventative cancer screenings during COVID-19 pandemic. Epic Health Research Network. https://www.ehrn.org/wp-content/uploads/Preventative-Cancer-Screenings-during-COVID-19-Pandemic. Published May 1, 2020. Accessed December 2020.
Sharpless NE. COVID-19 and cancer. Science 2020; 338 (6497):1290
Patel, S., Issaka, R., Chen, E. et al. Colorectal cancer screening and COVID-19. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2020. 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000970
Repici A, Badalamenti M, Maselli R, et al. Efficacy of real-time computer-aided detection of colorectal neoplasia in a randomized trial. Gastroenterology. 2020; 159:512–520.e7.