45 Is The New 50 For Cancer Screening Says American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society advises that most people should get screened for colon cancer at 45 instead of 50 years old. This adjustment is based on a rise in colon and rectal cancer among younger adults.
From KATU, ACS explains that the first test doesn't have to be a colonoscopy; however, it could include ones like some home stool tests.
Dr. Mike Owens, a Gastroenterologist with The Oregon Clinic explains while the colon cancer rates are decreasing, the rates are increasing for younger people under the age of 50.
I think with the American Cancer Society guidelines are getting at is we haven’t identified all of the risks. Theories about why this is increasing and younger folks out there do include some of the known risk factors which are obesity, diabetes.
Other expert groups like the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force still advises the screening age starts at 50 years old.