People with colorectal cancer have the best chance of recovery if doctors find it early. But colorectal cancer may cause no symptoms for a long time. That’s why it’s important to get routine screenings, even if you think you don’t have the disease.
Starting at age 45, you should get either:
- A colonoscopy every 10 years
- A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year
- A Guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) every year
- Or a multi-target stool DNA test (Cologuard) every three years
Routine screenings are just as important for those on the younger side as they are for older adults. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is increasingly diagnosed in people under 65.
Colorectal cancer death rates have also been increasing for this age group. Learn more from the American Cancer Society.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer can include:
- Weakness and fatigue
- Unexpected weight loss
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Blood in your stool, in the toilet or on your toilet paper
- A change in your bowel habits that lasts for more than a few days
- Feeling like you need to have a bowel movement, even though you just went
If you have any of these symptoms, tell your doctor right away and ask for a diagnostic colonoscopy.
