Colorectal cancer screening saves lives.
Regular screening, beginning at age 50, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. If you’re 50 to 75 years old, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly. If you’re younger than 50 and think you may be at high risk of getting colorectal cancer, or if you’re older than 75, ask your doctor if you should be screened.
Fast Facts:
- Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.
- Every year, about 140,000 people in the United States get colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die of it.
- Risk increases with age. More than 90% of colorectal cancers occur in people who are 50 years old or older.
- Precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. If you have symptoms, they may include blood in or on the stool, stomach pain that doesn’t go away, or losing weight and you don’t know why. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor.
- There are several screening test options. Talk with your doctor about which is right for you.
- Only about two-thirds of adults in the United States are up to date with colorectal cancer screening.
