Month: December 2014

“But I don’t have a family history…”

Most people who get colorectal cancer DO NOT have a family member with the disease. In fact, 75% of people diagnosed with colon cancer have no history of it in their family. If you have a family history of the disease your risk is even higher. However, history or not, everyone 50 and older should get tested. Risk starts to go up around age 50 and continues to rise for the rest of your life.

“But I don’t have any symptoms…”

Many people who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer have no symptoms, and people with polyps rarely have symptoms. In fact, 75 percent of people diagnosed have no known risk factors. Regular screening should start at age 50 or sooner if there is a family history of the disease or if you have other intestinal issues.

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