Gastroenterology Health Partners, in Louisville, Kentucky, Endorses Beginning Colorectal Cancer Screenings at 45 Years of Age
Gastroenterology Health Partners, one of Louisville, Kentucky’s leading gastroenterology practices, has officially endorsed the Digestive Health Partners Association’s message that men and women between the ages of 45 and 75 should be screened for colorectal cancer. This endorsement is backed by the American Cancer Society which also recommends that individuals at average-risk of contracting colorectal cancer begin screenings at the age of 45.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States, after lung cancer, but has a 90% survival rate when detected and treated early. There are multiple screening tools for colorectal cancer:
- Colonoscopy*
- Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- CT Colonography
- Cologuard
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
- Capsule Endoscopy
Depending on risk factors, age, and insurance coverage, a gastroenterologist can help patients make the right decision when it comes to what kind of colorectal cancer screening is best for them, however, only a colonoscopy can detect and prevent colorectal cancer.
Because colonoscopy is able to not only detect cancerous polyps but actually remove them, it is widely considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. Routinue colonoscopies detect and prevent colorectal cancer, reducing the incidence of cancer by 89%.
Gastroenterology Health Partners advocates colonoscopy screening for all patients ages 45-75. For patients with either a personal or family history of polyps or colorectal cancer, colonoscopy is the only recommended test. Individuals over the age of 75 should first consult with a gastroenterologist when deciding to get a colorectal screening.
