When Should People Get a Colon Cancer Exam?
2020-10-31
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1A group of health experts wants adults to start getting tested for colon cancer at age 45.
2That is five years younger than the age it formerly recommended for colon cancer screenings.
3Screening is a medical term.
4It means the act of doing a test on a person to look for evidence of a disease or health problem.
5In the United States, colon cancer rates have been falling in recent years.
6But the recent screening proposal, released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, shows that experts are concerned about rising colon cancer rates in people under the age of 50.
7Alex Krist is a family doctor at Virginia Commonwealth University and a member of the Preventive Services Task Force.
8He spoke to The Associated Press.
9"We've seen more data showing that younger people are getting colon cancer at higher rates," Krist said.
10"Basically, a 45-year-old today has the same risk of getting colon cancer as a 50-year-old from years past."
11The Preventive Services Task Force is a volunteer group of doctors.
12They study evidence and offer recommendations about medical tests and treatments.
13The group is suggesting that adults of average risk for colon cancer be screened from ages 45 to 75.
14How often the tests are done depends on the kind of screening.
15A careful examination of the colon - known as a colonoscopy -- is usually done every five to 10 years.
16Other exams, such as stool-based tests, can be performed every year.
17"Most people who get colon cancer have no signs, no symptoms and no risks. And so that's why we recommend that everyone get screened," Krist said.
18The task force suggestion on screening is not for people who have colon cancer, polyps or a family history of colon cancer or genetic disorders.
19All of those conditions can increase their risk.
20Colon cancer, along with rectal cancer, is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.
21There will be an estimated 148,000 new cases nationwide this year.
22The Task Force's suggestions are now the same as those from the American Cancer Society.
23In 2018, the American Cancer Society lowered the screening age from 50 to 45.
24With the change, doctors should feel at ease recommending colon cancer screens to younger patients, said the cancer group's Robert Smith.
25Earlier testing would help identify polyps or early cancer in younger patients before the disease requires more aggressive treatment, said Doctor Nancy You.
26She works at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
27"We have a lot more treatment options that are less invasive and have better results when we treat cancer at the earlier stages," You said.
28"That makes a huge difference to our patients."
29Experts believe it will still be difficult to screen people for colon cancer.
30Currently, 1 in 4 people between 50 and 75 have never been tested for the disease.
31Only about 60 percent of U.S. adults are up to date on their colon cancer screenings, Krist said.
32I'm John Russell.
1A group of health experts wants adults to start getting tested for colon cancer at age 45. That is five years younger than the age it formerly recommended for colon cancer screenings. 2Screening is a medical term. It means the act of doing a test on a person to look for evidence of a disease or health problem. 3In the United States, colon cancer rates have been falling in recent years. But the recent screening proposal, released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, shows that experts are concerned about rising colon cancer rates in people under the age of 50. 4Alex Krist is a family doctor at Virginia Commonwealth University and a member of the Preventive Services Task Force. He spoke to The Associated Press. 5"We've seen more data showing that younger people are getting colon cancer at higher rates," Krist said. "Basically, a 45-year-old today has the same risk of getting colon cancer as a 50-year-old from years past." 6The Preventive Services Task Force is a volunteer group of doctors. They study evidence and offer recommendations about medical tests and treatments. 7The group is suggesting that adults of average risk for colon cancer be screened from ages 45 to 75. How often the tests are done depends on the kind of screening. 8A careful examination of the colon - known as a colonoscopy -- is usually done every five to 10 years. Other exams, such as stool-based tests, can be performed every year. 9"Most people who get colon cancer have no signs, no symptoms and no risks. And so that's why we recommend that everyone get screened," Krist said. 10The task force suggestion on screening is not for people who have colon cancer, polyps or a family history of colon cancer or genetic disorders. All of those conditions can increase their risk. 11Colon cancer, along with rectal cancer, is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. There will be an estimated 148,000 new cases nationwide this year. 12The Task Force's suggestions are now the same as those from the American Cancer Society. In 2018, the American Cancer Society lowered the screening age from 50 to 45. With the change, doctors should feel at ease recommending colon cancer screens to younger patients, said the cancer group's Robert Smith. 13Earlier testing would help identify polyps or early cancer in younger patients before the disease requires more aggressive treatment, said Doctor Nancy You. She works at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. 14"We have a lot more treatment options that are less invasive and have better results when we treat cancer at the earlier stages," You said. "That makes a huge difference to our patients." 15Experts believe it will still be difficult to screen people for colon cancer. Currently, 1 in 4 people between 50 and 75 have never been tested for the disease. Only about 60 percent of U.S. adults are up to date on their colon cancer screenings, Krist said. 16I'm John Russell. 17Marion Renault reported this story for VOA Learning English. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 18_______________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20colon - n. the main part of the large intestine 21recommend - v. to suggest that someone do (something) 22data - n. facts and other information collected for use in studies 23stool - n. waste product 24symptom - n. a sign or marker of something 25polyp -- n. medical : a small mass of a substance that grows inside your body (such as inside your colon or on your vocal cords) 26option - n. choice 27invasive - adj. medical : involving entry into the body by cutting or by loading or adding an instrument 28We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.