People with a history of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) are at increased risk of developing the disease. The risk is even higher if a relative was diagnosed when they were under the age of 50 or if more than one first-degree relative is affected.
That’s why individuals with a family history of CRC are usually advised to start screening at a much younger age and more often. But what do you do when you’re unsure whether CRC ‘runs in the family’?
Our recent survey found 80% of Americans are unsure if they have a close relative with the disease. This troubling gap in awareness makes it difficult to determine how early and often you need to get tested, which can aid in prevention and treatment.
Have a colon? Just get it screened
The fact is, if you have a colon, you have a risk of getting colorectal cancer. So it’s safe to say that everyone stands to benefit from being proactive – especially when doctors are seeing an uptick in diagnoses among young people. CRC is now the leading cause of cancer deaths for men aged 50 and under and second in women under 50.
The current guidelines for colorectal screening recommend people with an average risk start testing at age 45 and then continue at regular intervals. However, the spike in cases among young people has caused some doctors to warn people as young as 20 to start looking for warning signs of the disease, such as constipation, changes in bowel movements, and rectal bleeding.
Taking Charge of Your Screening Process
Colonoscopies have been and remain the gold standard for colorectal screening because they allow doctors to detect and remove precancerous polyps during the procedure. However, they aren’t a blanket solution for generally healthy populations because the procedures are invasive and costly and can lead to possible complications.
ColoTest, our new at-home Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), offers a new pathway to prevention for those who want to start monitoring their colorectal health early before they meet the criteria for a colonoscopy. It’s a particularly great option for people who want peace of mind when risk factors such as family history are unknown. Overall, FIT test screenings have been shown to reduce the risk of dying from CRC by 33%.
Anyone, at any age, can buy ColoTest without a prescription, use it in the privacy of their home, and find out in as little as one minute if they have hidden blood in the stool – a potential early sign of CRC.
ColoTest is Now Available in More Communities
This month, ColoTest started rolling out to more than 7,000 CVS Pharmacy stores nationwide. We believe this new level of accessibility will go a long way in helping to increase screening rates.
What’s more, ColoTest is available at CVS Pharmacy stores and online at CVS.com for less than $20, helping make early detection more convenient and affordable than ever before. People everywhere are now empowered to take control of their colon health and get screened for CRC, no matter where they live and what their family history is.
Last month, we announced the launch of our #MyCRCHistory campaign. We look forward to raising awareness for CRC screening and the importance of understanding your family history of CRC. Together, we can make a difference and help prevent colorectal cancer— one ColoTest at a time.