Trending
Joe Lahr
Harrisburg
The American Cancer Society now recommends that anyone 45 and up get screened for colorectal cancer, but when I turned 45, the recommended age to begin testing was still 50. However, with my family history of colorectal cancer, once I hit mid-forties, I asked my doctor about early screening. Looking back, that choice saved my life.
During the colonoscopy, my doctor found pre-cancerous spots on my colon, but because of how early we found them, they were able to be removed right then and there. I left that appointment feeling like I'd been given a second chance, and it really opened my eyes to how important it is to get screened early.
I'm a testament to the fact that colorectal cancer is no longer an "old person's disease" -- it is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for adults under 50, across the nation. Here in Pennsylvania, the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2026, more than 6,500 Pennsylvanians will be diagnosed, and nearly 2,250 will lose their lives to it.
If the idea of getting a 'just-in-case' colonoscopy is jarring for you, I have good news. For those at average risk, there are now more ways to get screened. For example, the Shield test by Guardant Health, the first blood test option approved by the FDA as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer for people 45 and older.
With more ways to get screened than ever before, there are no excuses. Talk to your doctor about screening today.