Colon Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S. and a leading cause of cancer deaths. Many adults who should be screened are not up to date.

This is general information based on current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidance. The right plan for you depends on your age, health and family history, so talk with your doctor.

• Adults 45 to 75 at average risk: the USPSTF recommends screening.
• Adults 76 to 85: screening is a personal decision based on your health and past screening. Talk with your doctor.
• People at higher risk may need to start earlier or be screened more often. That includes people with a family history of colon cancer or polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or a genetic syndrome such as Lynch syndrome.

• Age 45 and older
• Family history of colon cancer or polyps
• Personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis)
• Inherited syndromes such as Lynch syndrome
• Smoking, heavy alcohol use, obesity, type 2 diabetes, low activity, and diets high in red and processed meat

Screening is for people without symptoms. If you have any of these, call us. Don't wait for your next screening.

• Blood in your stool or rectal bleeding
• Black or tarry stools
• A change in bowel habits that lasts more than a few weeks
• Belly pain that doesn't go away
• Weight loss without trying
• Feeling tired, or low iron (anemia)

• Stool tests (done at home): a FIT test every year, or a stool DNA-FIT test (such as Cologuard) every 1 to 3 years. If a stool test is positive, you'll need a colonoscopy.
• Colonoscopy every 10 years: a doctor uses a thin camera to look at the whole colon and can remove polyps during the same test. You'll need bowel prep and a ride home.
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or every 10 years with a yearly FIT test.
• The best test is the one you'll actually do. We order FIT and Cologuard home stool kits and refer you to a gastroenterology partner for colonoscopy; we don't do these procedures at our office.

• Follow the bowel prep instructions carefully if you're having a colonoscopy.
• Know your family history and share it with your doctor.
• Stay active, keep a healthy weight, limit red and processed meats, and eat more fiber.
• Don't smoke, and limit alcohol.

A normal result means you can wait until your next screening is due.

An abnormal stool test doesn't mean you have cancer, but you need a follow-up colonoscopy to find out why.

If polyps are removed, your doctor will tell you when to have your next colonoscopy.

Your primary care team at Moaddel Medical checks whether you're due, helps you pick a test, orders home stool tests, and refers you to a trusted gastroenterology partner for colonoscopy.

We review your results with you and keep track of when your next screening is due.

We're at 7230 Medical Center Dr, Suite 100, West Hills, CA 91307.