DETECT CANCER EARLY
In 2023, more than 1.9 million Americans were expected to be diagnosed with cancer – and early detection remains our best bet for treatment.5
COLORECTAL CANCER
Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum.11 It doesn't always cause symptoms, especially in early stages.5 But with regular screening, it can often be prevented or found early when it's small and might be easier to treat.5
~1in 23
1 in 23 men and 1 in 26 women in the United States will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime.11
91%
When diagnosed at the local stage, the 5-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is 91%.5
AGE GROUP |
AVAILABLE TESTS |
FREQUENCY |
|---|---|---|
45 – 75Average |
Stool-based tests and visual exams available |
Frequency depends on the type of screening test |
76 – 85Average |
Screening based on preferences, life expectancy, overall health and screening history |
Discuss with your doctor |
High riskAdults |
Stool-based tests and visual exams available |
May need to get screened before age 45, get screened more often, and/or get specific tests. |
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A polyp can take as many as 10 to 20 years to develop into cancer. With screening, doctors can find and remove polyps before they have the chance to turn into cancer.11
– American Cancer Society
People at high risk include those with a personal history of colorectal cancer and certain types of polyps, a family history of colorectal cancer, a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, an inherited colorectal cancer syndrome and a personal history of getting radiation to the abdomen or pelvis.11,12
There are several effective tests available, including visual tests (colonoscopy, CT colonography and flexible sigmoidoscopy) and at-home stool tests that look for abnormal fecal DNA or blood.5
Stool-based tests* include a highly sensitive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year, a highly sensitive guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) every year, and a multi-targeted stool DNA test (MT-sDNA every 3 years).5
Visual exams* include a colonoscopy every 10 years, CT (virtual colonoscopy) colonography every 5 years, and a flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG) every 5 years.5
*If a person chooses to be screened with a test other than colonoscopy, any abnormal test result should be followed up with colonoscopy.11
A polyp can take as many as 10 to 20 years to develop into cancer. With screening, doctors can find and remove polyps before they have the chance to turn into cancer.11
– American Cancer Society
GET SCREENED
Find cancer screening locations near you and learn how to talk to your doctor about your risks and what tests are best for you at this time.
SPREAD THE WORD
Share potentially life-saving information about common cancer types and screening with your family, friends and others.
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American Cancer Society. Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2021-2022. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-facts-and-figures/2021-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection.pdf. Accessed January 24, 2023.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2021-2022. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-facts-and-figures/2021-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection.pdf. Accessed January 24, 2023.
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