Colon Cancer Awareness Month
March is colon cancer awareness month. We'd like to take a quick moment of your time to educate you about the recommended screening for colon cancer.
The American Cancer Society recommendations that individuals at average risk begin screening at age 45 and those at lower risk start screening at age 50. While colonoscopy is the gold standard for screening, most insurances at this time may not be on board with screening at age 45- despite the recommendations from the American Cancer Society (check with your insurance company).
The current acceptance age is 50. There are various screening methods that include stool based test options; however, keep in mind there can be false positives or false negative results and the follow up recommendation for a false positive result is visualization via colonoscopy. If you are within this age group and have not yet completed the recommended screening, we encourage you to make an appointment for your up-to-date physical exam and discuss the recommended colon cancer screening options.
We look forward to your visit and to maintaining a successful, healthy lifestyle for you and your family.