WHY YOU SHOULD GET SCREENED FOR

Colorectal Cancer
Early screening. Early detection.

1
Why should I get screened?

According to the American Cancer

Society, over half of colorectal

cancer deaths can be prevented

by screening. Screening can be

completed with a colonoscopy,

fecal occult blood test or flexible

signmoidoscopy. A colonoscopy is

the recommended gold standard!

2
Signs and symptoms
Some associated symptoms include

change in bowel habits or stool,

abdominal pain or discomfort,

nausea, rectal bleeding, dark stool,

unexpected weight loss and

persistent weakness and fatigue.

Colorectal cancer may also not

cause any symptoms. These

symptoms are not all inclusive. Talk

3
to your doctor!

When should I get screened?

Start at age 45 (10 years early if you

have familial history of the following:

Lynch syndrome, FAP (familial

adenomatous polyposis and HNPCC

(Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal

Cancer)
History of other comorbidities like

smoking, unhealthy alcohol use,

diabetes, obesity
Rates of colorectal cancer is also high

in African American, Alaskan Native

4
and American Indian populations
If you are experiencing any of the

What happens during a

screening? above symptoms

If you have a history of cancer
Colonoscopy: gold standard;

History of Crohn's disease, ulcerative

ability to visualize any

colitiis or IBD
abnormalities using a flexible

tube, able to remove polyps,

requires sedation
Stool test: providing stool in kit

and sending it as described

Flexible sigmoidoscopy: use of

flexible tube to assess the colon

and rectum

5
How can I prevent

colorectal cancer?
The only evidence-based

way to prevent or detect

early signs of colorectal

cancer is to GET SCREENED!

To schedule an appointment for an evaluation, please call 703-277-3346

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