- Colon cancer is the 3rd most common cancer diagnosed in women.
- It is also the 3rd leading cause of cancer death.
- The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women without known risk factors begin screening at age 50.
- The screening method with the best detection rate is colonoscopy every 10 years.
- Women with African ancestry should begin screening at age 45.
- Screening should begin:
- At age 40 if:
- A biological parent had either a colon polyp or colon cancer before age 60.
- 2 or more biological parents or children had polyps or cancer at any age.
- 10 years earlier than the age a biological parent was diagnosed with colon cancer. (If a parent was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 40, screening should begin at age 30).
- Within 8 years following diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (ie ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease).
- At age 21 in individuals with a family history of hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). They should also consider genetic counseling and testing.
- At puberty in individuals with a family history of familial ademomatous polyposis (FAP). They should also consider genetic counseling and testing.
James Pate, MD 