Colon Cancer Awareness Month: Why Screening Can Save Your Life

In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death for men and women.

Every day, about 300 people in the United States are diagnosed with colon cancer, and an estimated 50,000 people die from colorectal cancer every year.

With March being Colon Cancer Awareness month, Intermountain Healthcare physicians want the public to know that colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable with early detection.

According to studies, 2020 and 2021 saw dramatic drops in routine cancer screenings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, colon cancer screening rates decreased by 86% across the country in 2020. Experts at Intermountain Healthcare saw an almost 50% decrease in colorectal screenings across the system.

Further delays in screening could lead to a delayed cancer diagnosis. Screenings are designed to detect cancer early, and early detection is more easily treatable so that you can have better outcomes.

45 is the New 50 for Colon Cancer Screening: New national guidelines have changed from 50 to 45 to begin screening for colon cancer. So, who should be screened?

• Any man or woman aged 45 or older

• For people under 45

• Anyone with a close relative who has had colorectal cancer

• Anyone with a history of certain medical conditions that affect the colon

What are the Major Risk Factors?

Age: 90% of colorectal cancer occurs in adults over age 45, however rates are rising in people who are in their 40's.

Family History: If you have a close relative who has had colon cancer or a colon polyp, you may be at higher risk for getting the disease.

Medical Conditions: Having an inflammatory bowel disease may increase your risk of developing colon cancer.

Race: Rates of colorectal cancer are higher in African Americans compared with other races. This may be because fewer African Americans get screened for colon cancer.

Lifestyle: There are some risk factors you can change. These include stopping smoking, improving your diet, keeping a healthy weight, and being active.

Other Screenings for Colon Cancer: In the past, one of the only ways to screen was a colonoscopy, which uses a camera system inserted into the colon to look for possible issues. New advancements allow people to screen more often using a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit at home.

The FIT isn't set to replace a colonoscopy but can serve as a vital tool for regular monitoring for those with low to moderate risk of colorectal cancer. Physicians agree that a colonoscopy should be scheduled if FIT results return positive.

New research shows that non-compliance with a colonoscopy after positive FIT results doubles the risk of dying.

A person can receive a FIT kit by having their doctor order one. People should speak with their doctors to develop a screening plan that's right for them.

Always call your insurance company before undergoing any test or procedure to determine coverage and any other questions you may have. If you are 45 or older, talk to your primary care provider about which test is right for you.

If you do not have a primary care provider, visit intermountainhealth.org/mt for a list of physicians in your area.

A Whitehall, Montana native, Dr. Glaus received an undergraduate degree in Human Biology at the University of Montana, where she was also a member of the U of M track team as a triple jumper. She graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine through the Montana WWAMI Program and was a TRUST Student in Hamilton, Montana. Dr. Glaus attended Montana Family Medicine Residency in Billings, where she was one of two chief residents. Her clinical interests include preventive medicine, sports medicine, and wilderness medicine.