What is Colon Cancer?
Most colon cancers start as pre-cancerous polyps on the inner lining of the colon. If left alone, they become cancerous and grow into the wall of the colon and then spread outside of the colon to the liver, lungs, brain, lining of the abdominal cavity and lymph nodes.
The Rising Number of Cases Among Younger Adults
A study led by the American Cancer Society revealed some alarming statistics about the rise of colon cancer in younger adults:
Dr. Roberta Siegal, one of the researchers, said that late-stage diagnoses are due, in part, to “the embarrassment factor .” People are reluctant to say, “I’m bleeding from the rectum.”
There is absolutely no need to be embarrassed when talking to your doctor. Physicians are not going to judge you based on your bowel issues, just as they wouldn’t judge you based on your chest pains. Think of your doctor as your “body mechanic.” She is trained to hear whatever you have to say with the goal of reaching a diagnosis and treatment plan – not to judge you. She won’t be embarrassed, and neither should you.
Screening Guidelines
Due to rising rates of colon cancer in younger adults and the knowledge that earlier diagnoses save lives, in 2018 the American Cancer Society lowered the recommended starting age for colonoscopies from age 50 to age 45 for people of average risk.
You are at “average risk” if you:
Warning Signs
According to the American Cancer Society, the most common signs and symptoms are:
Self advocacy is important here. It's not uncommon for physicians to attribute rectal bleeding in a younger person to hemorrhoids without further evaluation to rule out colon lesions. Discuss with your doctor whether further evaluation is warranted in your situation.
Lower Your Risk
The exact cause of colon cancer is unknown, but the American Cancer Society says you can lower your risk by:
Insurance Watch-outs
Not surprisingly, insurance coverage for colon cancer screening depends on several factors, beginning with what kind of insurance you have. For example, private insurance plans cover the cost of a polyp removal as part of the colonoscopy screening. However, Medicare will charge you a co-insurance or co-payment fee for the cost of polyp removal. Click here for an overview what is and is not covered under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans.
Once you know the type of screening test your doctor plans to do, call your insurer before the test to ask:
Write down the answers then read them back to the insurance representative to make sure they are correct. In your notes also include the name of the person you spoke with and the date and time of your call. That information is critical if you end up with a surprise bill that you need to challenge.
Take these precautions, from healthy diet and exercise to regular screenings and candid conversations with your physician, to stay as healthy as possible.