National Colorectal Cancer Month

March is National Colorectal Cancer Month, and I would like to highlight the importance of getting your colorectal cancer screenings. At my recent annual physical, my doctor said that I was a good candidate to use the Cologuard test. It was delivered to my doorstep and only took a few minutes to complete the test. Very convenient and easy!

What Is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer is a growth of cells that begins in a part of the large intestine called the colon. The colon is the rst and longest part of the large intestine. The large intestine is the last part of the digestive system. The digestive system breaks down food for the body to use.

Colon cancer typically affects older adults, though it can happen at any age. It usually begins as small clumps of cells called polyps that form inside the colon. Polyps generally are not cancerous, but some can turn into colon cancers over time. Polyps don’t often cause symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to look for polyps in the colon. Finding and removing polyps helps prevent colon cancer.

Colon cancer is sometimes called colorectal cancer. This term combines colon cancer and rectal cancer, which begins in the rectum.

High Option and Consumer Driven Option members pay nothing for preventive colorectal cancer screenings when visiting an innetwork provider.

If a surgical procedure is needed, regular plan bene ts apply. Screening options for colorectal cancer include tests that look for signs of cancer in the stool and visual exams of the colon and rectum. Recommended and approved testing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes:

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy cancer test is when a doctor uses a long, thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and the entire colon. During the test, the doctor can find and remove most polyps and some cancers.

Before the procedure you will need to bowel prep, which is a process to clean out the colon so the doctor can see inside clearly. The prep may include fasting and drinking a liquid laxative. Most people do not feel any pain during the tests. If nothing is found, you can generally go up to 10 years without another test. As always, please consult your physician to see if they recommend you undergo the procedure.

Stool DNA test (Cologuard)

Cologuard is an FDA-approved type of at-home colon cancer test. It is available by prescription, and is ideal for some people looking for an alternative to a colonoscopy. One advantage of Cologuard is that it does not require any special diets, bowel prep, laxatives, or enemas. The patient collects a stool sample at home and mails it to a lab for analysis. Cologuard is not suitable for everyone. Some people will need to follow it up with a colonoscopy. To qualify for Cologuard, you must be at least 45 and have no symptoms or family history of colon cancer.

Whether or not Cologuard is right for you, be sure to ask your doctor about getting tested for colorectal cancer.

I understand some might feel reluctant, but it is important to know that any minor discomfort or embarrassment from a colon cancer screening is only temporary, and early detection could save your life.

To find an in-network provider, please visit apwuhp.com and click “Find Care.”

For more information, please go tocdc.gov and cancer.org. ■