At Home Colon Cancer Screening

Colon Cancer Kills

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death among all cancer related deaths of men and women in Africa. One in 20 will be diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetime. There were 1,800,000 new cases and 1,000,000 deaths is 2018. Remember that colon cancer is one of the most treatable, and indeed preventable cancers, if detected early. Colon and rectal cancers have a 95% survivability rate with early detection.

Getting Tested is Key

60 percent of all colon cancer related deaths can be prevented with regular screening, but two of every three people of screening age are not up-to-date with colon cancer screening. Colon Cancer screening is recommended beginning at age 45-50 in average risk persons, and 10 years earlier if you have a family history. Research shows an alarming number of younger Africans being diagnosed with CRC, and we are working hard to understand why.

You have Options

Screening guidelines and recommendations from every major authoritative body recommend colon cancer screening, and new guidelines and recommendations give no preference to colonoscopy over fecal immunochemical tests. After taking a fecal immunochemical test, you are considered screened for colon cancer. Positive results should be communicated to your doctor immediately, and with a negative result, your next step is to re-test in a calendar year.