If you’re 50 or over, getting a colorectal cancer cancer screening test could save your life. Here’s how:
- Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps in the colon or rectum. A polyp is a growth that shouldn’t be there.
- Over time, some polyps can turn into cancer.
- Screening tests can find polyps, so then can be removed before they turn into cancer.
- Screening tests also can find colorectal cancer early. When it is found early, the chance of being cured is good.
Precancerous polyps and early-stage colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms. This means that someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important.
Getting a colonoscopy can help doctors find and remove precancerous polyps. The CDC recommends regular tests starting from the age of 50.
For more information visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/screening