Are you at risk for colorectal cancer?

Well, yes.

And so is everyone else.

Colorectal cancer occurs in both men and women of every ethnic and racial background. It is typically found in adults age 45 and older, but in certain instances may occur in younger individuals as well. The risk for developing colorectal cancer increases as you age.

Since colorectal cancer can begin with no symptoms, it’s essential to keep up with regular colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 45. These screenings allow your physician to detect cancer in its earliest stages, or even help prevent it by removing polyps in the colon before they can develop into cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some populations may be at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. You may be at a higher risk than average if:

• You or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer.
• You have inflammatory bowel disease.
• You have a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

Individuals with these risk factors may need earlier or more frequent tests — or may need to begin receiving screenings earlier — than others. Talk to your physician about when to begin screening and how often you should be tested.

According to the CDC, in 2013 (the most recent year for which data is available), 136,119 people in the United States were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Speak with your primary care provider about any family history of colorectal cancer that you may have, and ask about whether or not you should be screened.

You can arrange for a colorectal screening by asking your primary care provider for a referral, or by calling 770.214.CARE and asking for a gastroenterology specialist on staff at Tanner Health System. With Tanner, the screenings can be performed in Carrollton, Villa Rica or Bremen, making it more convenient.