Stay Up to Date on Colorectal Cancer Screenings

As we age, it’s important to stay up to date on health screenings, including those to prevent colorectal cancer. We welcome you to test your colorectal cancer knowledge and schedule an appointment with renowned board-certified colorectal surgeon, Bruce Orkin, MD, for top-notch care close to home in Celebration.

Colorectal Screenings

Simple screenings are key to preventing diseases like colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Americans. “Not only can a colorectal screening detect the presence of cancer, but it may also even prevent it from forming,” says Dr. Orkin. He continues, “Because it can detect polyps — growths that your doctor will remove before they turn into cancer.”

With that in mind, test your knowledge of the following three questions to make sure you understand some essential facts about this important preventive method. 

Myth or Fact?

1. Only people at high risk (those with a family history of colorectal cancer, those who are overweight and those who smoke) need to be screened.

2. There’s not one “right” way to be screened for colorectal cancer. 

3. You may need to start testing before age 50 if you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 

Check Your Answers

1. Myth: The American Cancer Society recommends all men and women with an average risk for colorectal cancer get a colonoscopy starting at age 45, while the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises getting your first colonoscopy at age 50. 

2.  Fact: Though many doctors consider colonoscopies to be the “gold standard” for screening, talk to your doctor to see what options you may have. One potential option is an annual test to check for blood in the stool. Others include:

• Every five years: A flexible sigmoidoscopy, in which the doctor places a lighted tube into the rectum to check the lower part of the colon
• Every five years: A virtual colonoscopy, in which X-rays and computers produce images of the entire colon
• Every 10 years: A colonoscopy, in which a doctor inserts a tube into the rectum to view the colon

3.  Fact. Screening before age 50 also might be wise if you or a close relative has had polyps or cancer. Or, even if your risk is average, you may want to begin screening at age 45, as the American Cancer Society now recommends. Talk with your doctor about the screening schedule that works best for you.

Care Close to Home

Our goal is to keep you from ever getting cancer. But if you do, we’re here for you with continuous compassion and expertise. Dr. Orkin specializes in:

• Anorectal disease, fecal incontinence and constipation
• Cancer of the colon, rectum and anus
• Colonoscopies
• Diverticular disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Local transanal excision of tumors
• Pelvic floor disorders
• Robotic and minimally invasive colorectal surgery
• Transanal endoscopic microsurgery and TAMIS

You can read more about Dr. Orkin and schedule an in-person or video appointment here.