Why is Colon Cancer Screening So Important?
Colon cancer screening is the single most important step you can take to reduce your risk of colon cancer. Routine screening identifies growths in the colon that aren’t cancer yet, but that may turn into cancer if they aren’t removed.
These growths, referred to as polyps or adenomas, are precursors to colon cancer. This means they show up in the colon years before colon cancer develops; they serve as a sort of "early warning" system. It is very rare that colon cancer occurs without first appearing as a polyp or adenoma.
This pathway—from a single pre-cancerous cell in the colon, to a visible polyp or adenoma, to colon cancer itself—is what makes screening so effective for this disease. The long lag time between pre-cancer and cancer gives doctors plenty of time to find, and most importantly, to treat and to remove these growths before they even become cancer.
Why Can’t I Skip Colon Cancer Screening Until I Have Symptoms?
Even though colon cancer screening can be uncomfortable, it is vitally important for preventing colon cancer. This is because in the early stages, people with colon cancer typically have no symptoms at all. By the time a person has symptoms of colon cancer, it’s often too late – the cancer has spread beyond the colon, making it much more difficult to treat and often impossible to cure.
Colon cancer is most curable when found early, at the time it’s least likely to cause symptoms. If you’re squeamish about colon cancer screening, try to remember that colon cancer screening is a lot less uncomfortable than colon cancer treatment.
Most importantly, with a little knowledge and some helpful tips, you can learn How Not to Dread Colon Cancer Screening too.
Sources
Wilkins T, Reynolds PL. Colorectal cancer: a summary of the evidence for screening and prevention. Am Fam Physician 2008 78:1385-92.
Zauber AG, Lansdorp-Vogelaar I, Knudsen AB, Wilschut J, van Ballegooijen M, Kuntz KM. Evaluating test strategies for colorectal cancer screening: a decision analysis for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med 2008 149:659-69.
