Raise your hand if you’ve had a relative or loved one who has had colon cancer. Chances are there are more than a few of you that raised your hands. Unfortunately, colon cancer has become the third leading cancer death in the United States. It has become so common that the 40-49 age group saw a 15% rise in cancer over a 16-year period from 2000-1016, prompting the government to reduce the screening age to 45! Currently, the screening age is from 45-75. It is projected that the colon cancer rates for 2021 will be estimated at 52,000. By now, you’re already thinking this won’t happen to me, I don’t have any problems…… Well, in my 17 years in surgical services as a nurse, I saw many people with no symptoms, who had advanced colon cancer.
So, how do I screen for colon cancer?? Well, there are 3 basic ways:
1: The basic FIT kit, this is a basic stool sample that you return to either your doctor’s office or a lab for testing for the presence of blood. Generally, colon cancer tumors bleed in advancing states, making the FIT useful in detecting advancing tumors. It is not indicated if you have a history of bleeding hemorrhoids. This is very inexpensive and is covered by insurance. If not, it’s usually diet cheap. It needs to be tested yearly.
2: Cologuard, is a newer test in the market and consider an upgrade to FIT testing. It encompasses two tests simultaneously. First, it does the standard FIT testing, and then it tests for cancer DNA markers in the stool. They send you a kit and you mail them a whole complete stool. It also does not need to be utilized if you have hemorrhoids, have a history of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, have a strong family history of colon cancer, or have irritable bowel disease. A negative result means you only need to be screened every 3 years, however, a positive result means you still need to have a COLONOSCOPY. I think that Cologuard is a good screening tool, but as a provider, the only result I get is a “positive” or “negative”. It does not indicate if it’s positive for DNA or blood, I wish the company would tell the provider which was positive. Most insurance plans pay for it, but some will not.
3: The much-dreaded colonoscopy. I know everyone hates this option, but it is the most decisive option out there. You know the adage “oldie but goodie”. Really, nothing replaces a colonoscopy. Direct visualization of your colon is the best! If you have an area that is suspicious they can biopsy it or remove it completely. Many smaller tumors, especially ones that are precancerous, can be removed this way. Of course, there are downsides, colon prep, anesthesia, and potential complications from either the anesthesia or scope itself. However, these are very few and far between. You do have to have a driver for the procedure and you will be comfortably asleep for the whole thing! Almost all insurance plans pay 100% for a screening colonoscopy!
Really the bottom line is two things, colon cancer is preventable with screening tools! Colon cancer CAN CREEP up on you! You can have advanced tumors WITHOUT knowing it-I have experienced this firsthand as a healthcare provider!
If you are due for a colon cancer screening, talk to your provider about the option that is best for you, but don’t delay! Life is precious!
sources: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening#bootstrap-panel–8 https://www.cologuardhcp.com/
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