If you recently celebrated your 45th birthday, there’s something on your healthcare to-do list that may have moved up. Updated guidelines from the American Cancer Society now recommend that colorectal cancer screening begin at age 45 for adults at average risk — five years earlier than the previous recommendation. Here’s what that means for you, why the change was made, and what to expect if you schedule a colonoscopy at Palmetto GI.
- Why did the guidelines change?
Colorectal screening was moved to age 45 because more people under 50 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer than in the past. Starting earlier helps doctors find and remove precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer, which improves prevention as well as early detection. The update also reflects the fact that waiting until 50 was missing a growing number of cancers in adults in their 40s. For average-risk patients, age 45 is now the better balance between catching disease earlier and avoiding unnecessary testing.
- What are the differences between average-risk and higher-risk patients?
Average-risk patients have no major extra risk factors, so they usually follow routine screening starting at age 45. Higher-risk patients have things like a strong family history, prior polyps or colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or inherited syndromes, which means they may need screening earlier and more often.
- Why is colonoscopy the gold standard screening method?
Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard screening method because it can both find cancer and prevent it by removing precancerous polyps during the same procedure. It also gives doctors a direct, full view of the entire colon, which makes it more complete than stool-based tests that only look for signs of possible cancer.
- What can I expect when scheduling my colonoscopy with Palmetto GI?
At Palmetto GI, we understand the fear and discomfort patients can experience before a colonoscopy. That’s why our teamis committed to keeping patients informed and maximizing their comfort and peace of mind every step of the way.
There is no referral needed to schedule your colonoscopy. A member of our staff will walk you through the preparation process, starting with a special diet the day before the procedure. The procedure itself usually takes 15-30 minutes; however, you should plan on spending about 2 – 2.5 hours total with us to account for preparation, waiting, and recovery time.
Some patients may experience minor discomfort or pressure. Your doctor may give you additional medication to help. While your doctor examines the colon, you will lie on your side or back. They will remove any polyps during the procedure for further examination. If your colonoscopy shows any abnormalities, your doctor will remove tissue from the colon and take a biopsy.
After the procedure is completed, a trusted person over the age of 18 will drive or accompany you home. If you do not have a family member or friend to assist you, there are relatively inexpensive local resources that may be able to help you get to and from your procedure. Please contact us for more information.
You should plan on resting after the procedure and may return to your normal activities the following day.
If you’re 45 or older and haven’t scheduled your colonoscopy, now is the time. Call Palmetto GI at (843) 571-0643.