Colon Cancer Screening

TAKE A COLON HEALTH ASSESSMENT

Why get screened for colon cancer?
Screening may find diseases at an early stage, when a doctor has a better chance of treating or preventing the disease. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends screening for colon cancer:

• At age 40 for any person with a first degree relative with colon cancer.
• At age 45 for African Americans because they have an increased risk of developing the disease.
• At age 45 for people who are not at increased risk of the disease.

What is a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a procedure that uses a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny camera on one end, called a colonoscope or scope, to look inside the rectum and entire colon. Colonoscopy can show abnormalities of the lining of the large intestine.

Why is a colonoscopy performed?
Some of the reasons a colonoscopy may be performed include but are not limited to:

• Screening for colon cancer
• Changes in bowel habits
• Abdominal pain
• Bleeding from the anus
• Unexplained weight loss
• A family history of colon cancer

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 800.424.DOCS (3627).