Colorectal (Colon) Cancer is the third leading cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. Young adults now represent a growing proportion of new diagnoses, and colorectal cancer has become the deadliest cancer in men aged 20-49. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 5 colon cancer diagnoses now occur in people under the age of 55. Notably, rates have been increasing by 2.9% per year among individuals under 50 years old.
Risk factors include age, genetics, and family history. While you cannot control these factors, there are steps you can take to prevent colorectal cancer.
Screening is the best way to prevent cancer or detect it early, which may help save your life. Let’s explore what you can expect and how you can prepare for a colonoscopy.
What Are Colorectal Cancer Screenings?
Colonoscopy is the gold standard for preventing and detecting colon cancer. The recommended age for colon cancer screening, for average-risk patients, is now 45 years old. However, you may need earlier screening if you have higher risk factors such as a family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
Additionally, if you have symptoms such as bleeding, a change in bowel habits, narrow stool, abdominal pain, rectal pain, anemia, or weight loss of unknown cause, you should seek medical evaluation. Diagnostic colonoscopy may be appropriate in those scenarios.
Colon cancer screening is so important because almost all cancers in the colon start out as polyps or little growths in the lining of the colon. Some polyps can slowly grow and transform into cancer over the years; however, most polyps do not cause any symptoms and therefore can remain unknown without screening. Usually, colon and rectal cancers need to be large in order for symptoms to occur.
This is why colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. When polyps are detected during colonoscopy, they are easily removed. By removing these precursors, you can prevent colon cancer.
When Should I Get Screened?
The American Cancer Society recommends that cancer screenings begin at age 45 for adults with average risk. However, if you have a family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or certain genetic conditions, your doctor may recommend you start screenings sooner.
Why Are Colorectal Screenings Important After 45?
At age 45, most people have an average risk of colorectal cancer. Since this risk increases with age, early detection and treatment may improve your outcome. In many cases, early detection can save lives.
Here are the reasons why colorectal screenings are important after 45:
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Higher Risk With Age:
As you get older, your risk of developing colorectal cancer increases. Having regular screenings can help identify cancer early, so you can begin treatment as soon as possible.
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Cancer Prevention:
During a colorectal screening, your doctor can identify and remove polyps before they can become cancerous. Even if polyps are benign, they will be removed to ensure that they are not malignant.
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Colorectal Cancer Is Rising:
Colorectal cancer rates have been increasing among younger adults, which is why the recommended age to begin screening has been lowered to 45.
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May Be Easier To Treat:
Detecting cancer at an early stage usually makes it easier to treat. Cancerous growths are often smaller when they are found early, and treatment at this stage may not require chemotherapy or radiation.
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Better Survival Rates:
Early detection also increases your likelihood of survival. When found early, 90% of colorectal cancer patients can survive at least 5 years after their diagnosis.
How Often Should I Get Colorectal Screenings?
If you have an average risk of colorectal cancer, your screenings will begin at age 45, and you will have a colonoscopy every 10 years. Increasing colorectal cancer screenings is often recommended for people with a higher risk. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or if your doctor finds a polyp, you may need more frequent screenings.
How To Prepare For Your Screening
A colonoscopy is the gold standard to screen for colorectal cancer. Before this procedure, your provider will give you instructions for preparation.
Here’s what you can expect as you’re preparing for a colonoscopy:
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Dietary Preparation:
You will need to decrease your fiber intake a few days before your screening. During this time, you’ll need to avoid raw fruits and vegetables. The day before your colonoscopy, you will be on a clear liquid diet, refraining from solid foods and red, orange, and purple liquids.
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Bowel Clearing:
Your doctor will prescribe a laxative that will help cleanse your colon. Usually, this step begins the day before your screening. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions to properly clean your colon. This step will make it easier to identify polyps or signs of cancer.
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Medication Adjustments:
Before your colonoscopy, it’s important to let your doctor know what medications you are taking. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking blood thinners before your screening. This adjustment will lower your risk of bleeding during and after a colonoscopy.
Other screening options include a virtual colonoscopy that is essentially a modified CT scan that looks at the colon. It does still require a bowel preparation. Unfortunately, if polyps are detected, they can not be removed, and you would still need a colonoscopy. Another screening test is a Cologuard test, which is a DNA stool test. While this test is good at detecting cancer, it is not very good at detecting polyps, the precursors to cancer. Again, the goal in screening is to prevent getting cancer; thus, colonoscopy is the gold standard.
What To Expect During A Colorectal Screening
During a colonoscopy, anesthesia or sedation is used to keep the patient comfortable. You will be positioned on your side with your knees placed close to your chest. Your doctor will insert a colonoscope up your rectum and into your colon. During this screening, the camera on the colonoscope will show your doctor the lining of your colon, allowing your doctor to look for signs of cancer or polyps.
If a polyp is detected, it will be removed. Your doctor may also take tissue samples for a biopsy, if needed. At the end of this screening, the colonoscope will be gently removed from the body.
After your colorectal screening, you will be monitored as your sedation wears off. When you are awake, your doctor will give you instructions for post-colonoscopy care. These guidelines can help you manage bloating, gas, and other temporary side effects. You will also need someone to drive you home after your screening. Depending on your results, you may need a follow-up appointment.
How Mosaic Medical Beverly Hills Can Support Colorectal Health
If you are looking for a provider who can help improve your colorectal health, Dr. Beth Moore will be happy to help you at Mosaic Medical Beverly Hills. When you schedule a consultation with her, you’ll see her passion for colorectal care. She is proud to offer a wide range of services, including colorectal screenings with advanced technology and personalized treatments to meet her patients’ needs.
Here’s how Mosaic Medical Beverly Hills can support your colorectal health.
Cancer Screenings
The earlier cancer is detected, the better. That’s why we offer many different colorectal screening options to identify and treat it as soon as possible, including:
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Colonoscopy:
As the gold standard of colorectal screenings, we offer this service to help reduce your risk. Regular screenings can spot cancer and pre-cancerous growths early, which can help save your life.
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Colon and Rectal Cancer Screenings:
In addition to colonoscopies, we offer virtual colonoscopies. However, if a polyp is spotted during a virtual colonoscopy, you would need to schedule a follow-up for it to be removed.
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Anal Cancer Screenings:
We provide anorectal exams, anal pap smears, and high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) to screen for anal cancer. If you’re experiencing bleeding from the anus, pain, or other signs of cancer, schedule a consultation with us, and we’ll recommend which screening is best for you.
Colorectal Treatments
At Mosaic Medical Beverly Hills, we offer a wide range of treatment options for the following anal and rectal conditions:
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Hemorrhoids:
These small veins around the anus and rectum may cause discomfort. Common causes include prolonged sitting, chronic diarrhea, and pregnancy. We offer many treatment options to help relieve symptoms and prevent recurrence, including topical creams.
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Anal Skin Tags:
While anal skin tags are common and benign, many people want to remove these small folds of skin. You can come to us for a simple in-office excision that removes them in just 20 minutes.
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Anal Fissures:
These small tears in the anus can cause bleeding and pain during a bowel movement. Sometimes they heal on their own, but if you need treatment, we can prescribe a topical cream that may help.
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Anal Warts:
Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), these growths start out as small bumps in and around the anus. When left untreated, they can grow, multiply, and increase your risk of anal cancer. Our treatment options include topical medications, cryotherapy, laser treatment, and surgical excision.
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Pilonidal Disease:
This common skin condition can develop near the tailbone when hair penetrates the skin in this area. It can cause pain, swelling, and pus draining from an abscess or cyst. If you don’t have an abscess, laser therapy may provide a gentle solution. If there is an abscess, it will need to be drained before laser therapy.
No matter what anal or rectal condition you may have, we’ll support you with a personalized treatment plan.
Protect Your Colorectal Health at Mosaic Medical Beverly Hills
While undergoing a colorectal screening may seem scary, it’s a very important step for your health. If you have a polyp, it can be removed before it becomes cancerous. If a screening reveals you do have cancer, early detection can save your life. Whether you need to schedule a screening or find an effective colorectal treatment, you can get the support you need at Mosaic Medical Beverly Hills.
As the leading provider of colorectal screenings in Beverly Hills, Dr. Moore will give you the expert care you need. Dr. Moore is dedicated to providing comprehensive colorectal care to every patient, ensuring they can live their best lives. We’re proud to serve Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and the Golden Triangle. Call (310) 854-3580 today to schedule a consultation.
