generations of women

Women's Health Testing

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer adults in the United States with 90% of cases occurring after age 50.1 Current guidelines emphasize routine screening for average risk adults beginning at age 45.2

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American Cancer Society recommends colorectal cancer screening2 for:

  • Adults at average risk age 45 and above
  • Colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps in first degree relative <60 years or in two or more first-degree relatives of any ages
  • Family history of familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer
  • History of colorectal cancer, adenomatous polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease

Testing methods include the following:3

  • Colonoscopy every 10 years is preferred
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
  • Double contract barium enema test every 5 years
  • Computed tomography every 5 years
  • Fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test

Reference

  1. American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2014.
  2. American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-st.... Accessed June 5, 2018.
  3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Well Women Recommendations. High-Risk Factors. Available at: https://www.acog.org/About-ACOG/ACOG-Departments/Annual-Womens-Health-Ca....