Can colorectal cancer present without symptoms?
in Denver

Many people are surprised to learn that 30% of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed when someone has no symptoms at all. Typically, these cancer cases are found during a screening colonoscopy. The other 70% of colorectal cancers are typically detected when someone’s already having symptoms. The top three symptoms that are associated with this are things like new blood in your stool, change in your bowel habits and abdominal pain.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, please talk to your doctor about or make an appointment to see a gastroenterologist at South Denver GI. And certainly, if you’re not having any of the symptoms but you meet the criteria to get a screening colonoscopy, please do so. It can save your life.

Screening colonoscopy criteria

The US Preventive Services Task Force, American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all recommend that adults at average risk for colorectal cancer begin screening at age 45. Insurers will cover colonoscopy screening at this age.

After the first screening, the procedure is typically repeated every 10 years until you turn 75 years old. At that point, your gastroenterologist will recommend screening based on your overall health and previous screening history.

There are some high-risk factors that will change when you need to start screening for colorectal cancer and how often. These include:

• Family History: If you have a first-degree relative who had colorectal cancer or advanced polyps, you will usually begin screening at age 40 or 10 years earlier than the relative’s diagnosis (whichever comes first).
• Genetic Syndromes: If you have been diagnosed with a hereditary condition such as Lynch syndrome or Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, you need to be screened for colorectal cancer earlier and more often. Your doctor may recommend starting screening in your teens or twenties.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): If you have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, surveillance colonoscopies are needed beginning 8 years after diagnosis to monitor for precancerous changes.

Are you due for a colonoscopy? Call 303-788-8888 or use the live chat button on every page of this website to schedule your procedure.