Colon cancer rates have fallen by 30% over the past decade in people over age 50, and colonoscopies are getting much of the credit, according to a report released recently from researchers at the American Cancer Society. Make sure you and your loved ones avoid colon cancer by getting screened. Request an appointment today

Doctors recommend that people at average risk begin getting screened for colon cancer at age 50. And due to increased awareness, screening rates have climbed in recent years. The number of Americans ages 50 to 64 who have had a colonoscopy — which allows doctors to detect and remove polyps before they turn malignant — has nearly tripled, growing from 19% in 2000 to 55% in 2010. Use of colonoscopy also rose among those age 65 and over, growing from 55% in 2000 to 64% in 2010, according to the new report. To further reduce colon cancer cases and deaths, the American Cancer Society has set a goal of screening 80% of eligible people by 2018.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the USA. The cancer society estimates that 136,830 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease this year and that 50,310 will die from it. The good news is that you can take action to help prevent colon cancer by getting a colonoscopy. In fact, up to 90% of colon cancers are preventable with colonoscopy screening.

Let’s continue this trend. Do you know your risk? Do you need more information about colonoscopy? Then take the most important step: request an appointment with a specialist at Digestive Health Specialists to be screened in one of our four Endoscopy Centers.

ACS researchers wrote the report in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. It can be found here