You may save a loved one’s life!

Make sure everyone in your family starts colon cancer screenings at age 50.

Your physician may recommend colorectal cancer screenings at an earlier age if you have risk factors.

Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer:

• Age: More than 9 out of 10 people found to have colorectal cancer are older than 50.
• Family history of colorectal cancer
• Race & ethnic background: Ashkenazi Jews and African Americans are more likely to develop colorectal cancer.
• High fat diet: A diet high in fat, especially fat from animal sources, can increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
• Lack of exercise
• Being overweight
• Having had colorectal cancer before
• Having a history of polyps
• Having a history of bowel disease including Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Heavy Alcohol Use

Colorectal Cancer Screenings:
Men and women with average risk should begin screenings at age 50. Your doctor will recommend a one of the following colorectal cancer screenings:

1. yearly stool blood test or
2. flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or
3. yearly stool blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or
4. colonoscopy

Stool blood test: This test is used to find small amounts of hidden blood in a stool sample, which may indicate that cancer or polyps are forming.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy: A slender, lighted tube allows the doctor to look at the inside of the lower part of the colon and rectum for cancer or polyps.

Colonoscopy: A colonoscope is a longer version of the sigmoidoscope that allows the doctor to see the entire colon.

For more information, talk with your doctor or visit: www.cancer.org.

Learn what other preventive care screenings are recommended for you and your family: Beaver Medical Group Preventive Care Recommendations.

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