Your Personalized Screening Recommendation
Young-onset colorectal cancer is on the rise, so it’s important to get screened on time.
Your current health history puts you at average risk for colorectal cancer, which means there are several screening options right for you, including lower-cost methods to ensure your health. Talk to a health care provider about getting checked starting at age 45. Remember, the most common symptom of colon cancer and rectal cancer is no symptom.
You may qualify for a low-cost test.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance offers free support, guidance, and encouragement. Connect with our certified patient and family support navigators at (877) 422-2030 to see if you qualify for a low-cost, at-home colorectal cancer screening test.
Lower-Cost Screening Methods
At home, people of average risk collect a sample stool and mail it to a lab for analysis. The lab looks for abnormal DNA and blood in the stool, which can indicate cancer. A positive test requires a follow-up colonoscopy.
FIT (FECAL IMMUNOCHEMICAL TEST)
Just like a stool-DNA test, average-risk users take a sample and place it on a card for analysis. Some tests are sent to a lab for analysis, and some tests can be completed at home. The test alerts for blood that can’t be seen. A positive test requires a follow-up colonoscopy.
Rising Risk of Young-Onset CRC
Risk for colorectal cancer increases with age, but the average age of diagnosis is dropping. Today, more than 1 in 10 colorectal cancer patients are under the age of 50. The youngest people eligible for colorectal cancer screening often wait or are not referred to a screening until later, especially if they seem healthy. As a result, young people are diagnosed with advanced cancer at a higher rate than older people. Researchers have not determined what is driving the increasing rate of colorectal cancer in young people.
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer, or CRC, refers to colon cancer and rectal cancer. One in 24 people will get colorectal cancer in their lifetime, but most people have the power to prevent it!
Resources for You
Healthy living: While screening is the most important step to prevent CRC, it’s not the only one.
Symptoms: The most common symptom of colorectal cancer is no symptom, but when present, symptoms may include these.
Facts About Colorectal Cancer
- 1 in 24 will be diagnosed in their lifetime
- More than 1 in 10 are diagnosed under the age of 50
- Screening is the No. 1 way to prevent CRC or detect it early
- CRC caught early has a 91% survival rate