Colorectal CANCER SCREENING

HAVE YOU HEARD? 45 IS THE NEW 50 FOR EVERYONE AT AVERAGE RISK FOR COLORECTAL CANCER.

Colorectal cancer cases are on the rise among younger adults, which is why the screening guidelines have changed. People should now begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45 instead of age 50. The good news is, the relative five-year survival rate is about 90% when colorectal cancer is detected at an early stage, before it has spread, according to the American Cancer Society.

The best way to find colorectal cancer early is by having routine screening tests. People of average risk should have their first test at age 45. How often you should be screened can depend on which test you choose. People at high risk for colorectal cancer may need to screen earlier and more frequently, based on their physician’s recommendations.

Although researchers don’t yet know the exact cause of colorectal cancer, a lot is known about certain risk factors and how to prevent, treat, and screen for the disease.

Here are some different ways to screen for colorectal cancer.

1) Get a colonoscopy every 10 years.

• Your doctor can remove polyps, prevent, and detect colorectal cancer in one step.

• May be more frequent if polyp(s) are found.

THE TWO-STEP TEST

1) Step one: STOOL TEST

FIT (fecal immunochemical test) every year OR Cologuard® (Multitarget Stool DNA test) every three years OR

FLEXIBLE SIGMOIDOSCOPY every five to ten years OR IMAGING TESTS: CT colonography every five years OR Colon Capsule every five years

2) Step two: If results are positive, schedule a colonoscopy.

Visit henrymayo.com/screening or call 661.200.1332 for more information.

Nancy Bilek

Valencia resident Nancy Bilek had a routine screening colonoscopy in August 2022, 13 years after her last colonoscopy. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she decided to put off the test, as did many people.

Bilek’s colonoscopy detected a tumor, and she and her providers prepared for treatment. Thankfully, Bilek’s cancer was detected early, at stage 1, and chemotherapy was not recommended for her. After five days of radiation therapy overseen by Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and Keck Medicine of USC radiation oncologist May Lin Tao, MD, Bilek had colorectal surgery in early November to remove the tumor. Henry Mayo and Keck Medicine colorectal surgeon Joongho Shin, MD, performed the surgery. Bilek is now in recovery and doing well.

“I’ve been fortunate—I had a wonderful experience,” she says, adding how important it is to stay current with routine cancer screenings. “I’ve had two family members get colonoscopies after hearing what happened to me!”