Why screening matters
Getting screened regularly may increase your chances of finding, treating, and potentially surviving colon cancer. Because the risk of colon cancer increases with age, even if you have been screened in the past, you should get screened again in the future.1 How often you screen depends on which test you choose.
Who should get screened?
Everyone 45 years and older at average risk for colon cancer needs to get screened. Even if you don’t have a family history or symptoms. Colon cancer is the 3rd most commonly occurring cancer in both men and women—of all races. Some racial groups are more at risk than others.
Statistically, Black Americans are more likely to develop colon cancer than any other racial group, and more likely to be diagnosed with later-stage colon cancer. Hispanic Americans have the second-highest death rate due to colon cancer, following Black Americans.
Ways to get screened
Now that you know why getting screened regularly and on time is important, call Seneca today to talk with a healthcare provider, about which option might be best for you.
Call 1(833)227-3743
Why screening matters
What is colon cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the colon or rectum that can invade nearby tissues or spread to other organs. Normally, colon cancer starts as a polyp (small growth) that gets larger over time. Not all polyps are cancerous, but some do turn into cancer.1
Why get screened?
When caught in the early stages, colon cancer is treatable in about 90% of people.2
The American Cancer Society recommends those at average risk get screened starting at age 45, since colon cancer is on the rise in people under the age of 50.3
Many patients with early‐stage colon cancer have no symptoms and are diagnosed through screening.1
Things you should know!
Who’s at risk and when should you get screened?
Everyone 45 years and older at average risk for colon cancer needs to get screened. Even if you don’t have a family history or symptoms. Colon cancer is the 3rd most commonly occurring cancer in both men and women—of all races. Some racial groups are more at risk than others.
Statistically, Black Americans are more likely to develop colon cancer than any other racial group, and more likely to be diagnosed with later-stage colon cancer. Hispanic Americans have the second-highest death rate due to colon cancer, following Black Americans.
What’s next after getting screened?
If no signs of cancer are found during screening, talk to your healthcare provider about when you should plan to screen again.
If signs of cancer are found during screening, you and your healthcare provider can decide on the best course of action together. This will depend on which screening option you chose; for noninvasive tests, a positive result should be followed by colonoscopy.
Is getting screened for colon cancer covered by insurance?
Is getting screened for colon cancer covered by insurance?
The Affordable Care Act requires most insurers to cover colon cancer screening at no cost to the patient. Exceptions apply; only your insurer can tell you how getting screened would be covered for you.