Take this quick quiz to find out why and when you should get screened for colorectal cancer.
Most cancers can be diagnosed and treated at an early stage, but colorectal cancer—the third most common cancer in the U.S.—can actually be prevented. Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon (a long muscular tube that produces waste) or the rectum (a chamber that begins at the end of the colon and ends at the anus, the opening through which stool leaves the body). Screening can detect abnormal cells that have grown into polyps (small lumps of cells), which generally take 10 to 15 years to develop into cancer.
People should get a colonoscopy or other screening test recommended by their physician at age 45, or earlier if the patient is in a high-risk group or has possible symptoms.
To see how well you understand your risk, take this quick quiz based on information provided by the American Cancer Society.
Get Checked
Saint Barnabas Medical Center provides advanced screening, diagnostic and treatment services for a full range of gastrointestinal conditions, including colorectal cancer. To learn more or to make an appointment, call 888.724.7123.