Colon Cancer Screening, why we need to do it regularly?

Colon Cancer Screening, why we need to do it regularly?

Colon cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in male and second most common cancer in female between 2015-2019. Approximately 11,689 cases was diagnosed over these 5 years, that’s about 2300 cases every year and the incidence has been rising.

Colon cancer by far is one of the most preventable cancer due to the nature of disease and progression. After years of research and follow up, we now know majority of the disease develop from adenomatous polyps. The process of malignant transformation of adenomatous polyps takes between 5 to 10 years through multiple gene mutations.

Common symptoms of colorectal cancers are

• Abdominal pain
• Bloatedness
• Change in bowel habit such as constipation and diarrhoea
• Passing out blood in stool
• Unexplained weight loss

Unfortunately, by the time patient developed these symptoms, the cancer would have progressed into advanced stages. Most early cancer do not have symptoms.

There are several risk factors involved that may increase your chances of colon cancer such as:

• Older age

Most colorectal cancer diagnosed aged 45 and above, thus it’s advisable to screen 10 years before the youngest family member with colorectal cancer or at the age of 45.

Personal history of colon cancer or polyps

If you have history of colon polyps, your risk for developing subsequent colon polyp again in future is very high and that would be a risk for colon cancer. Speak to your doctor about the interval surveillance.

Family history of colon cancer

Having multiple generations of cancer or a first degree family member with colorectal cancer would be an important risk to note and to have regular surveillance.

Getting screened for colon cancer

You should start colon cancer screening at the age of 45 as recommended by US task force due to the nature of colon cancer has been involving younger and younger patient.

You can use faecal occult blood test to check for blood in stool.

If necessary, further specialised tests will be performed by specialists for colon cancer screening such as:

• Colonoscopy
• CT Colonography

Speak to a gastroenterologist about how to detect colon cancer early and how to prevent colon cancer. If you have done colonoscopy but unsure if you need one soon, you can always contact gastroenterologist to find out more.