Earlier colon cancer detection often a benefit of colonoscopy

Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, exceeded only by lung cancer, according to a recent report by the Journal of the American Medical Association. And the American Cancer Society is projecting that nearly 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2008, with nearly 50,000 of those dying from the disease.

Those are sobering statistics.

More than 90 percent of colon cancer cases occur in people 50 and older. For this reason, people should get tested for the disease at age 50 or earlier if there is family history of the disease.

If colon cancer is found and treated early, the five-year survival rate is about 90 percent. But because people are not getting tested, only 39 percent of cases are diagnosed in the early stage when treatment is so successful.

With March designated as Colon Cancer Awareness Month, now is a great time to be tested. Here are answers to some common questions about colon cancer screening.

Q:When should you make an appointment to have colon cancer screening performed?

A:Routine screenings should begin at age 50. For blacks, the age is 45. For those with a family history of colon cancer, screenings should begin earlier. A follow-up colonoscopy may be scheduled depending on what is found during the initial exam.

Q:After age 50, how often should you schedule a screening?

A:Every 10 years for average-risk patients without a family history of colon cancer. Every five years if there's family history, and every three to five years if pre-malignant polyps are found.

Q:Are screenings scheduled through a primary-care physician?

A:Yes.

Q:Does a specialist perform the procedure, and if so, what kind?

A:Gastroenterologists primarily perform the screening, which is called a colonoscopy. Sometimes a surgeon will perform the procedure.

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