Colon Cancer and Race: What You Need to Know

Black couple at table laughing

If you could have a test that could prevent you from developing colon cancer, would you say no? Unfortunately, too many Americans are doing exactly that. This is particularly true in the Black community. Despite having the highest incidence of colorectal cancer and the lowest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group, Black Americans are less likely to be screened by getting a colonoscopy.  

Colon Cancer Statistics and Racial Differences

Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer in men and women in the United States and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 140,000 new cases are diagnosed in this country every year and more than 50,000 people die from the disease. Black Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die as a result.

Colon cancer screening, including colonoscopy, could have played a life-saving role in thousands of these deaths. Colorectal cancer almost always begins as a polyp, which is a small growth of excess tissue that develops in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Only some of these polyps progress to cancer over time. But if problems like this are found early, they are much easier to treat. 

Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations and Symptoms

Guidelines from the American Cancer Society and the U.S Preventive Services Task Force recommend that all individuals 45 years of age or older be screened for colon cancer. The screening intervals vary depending on the test you get and whether or not you have risk factors (like a strong family history) of colon cancer. Also, people who experience the following colon cancer symptoms should talk with their doctor right away:

  • A change in bowel habits.
  • Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.
  • Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away.
  • Losing weight and you don’t know why.

The best advice is to speak with your health-care provider about when you should begin screening, which test is right for you, and how often to get tested.  

What Is A Colonoscopy?

During a colonoscopy, your doctor examines the inside of your large intestine by inserting a tube with a tiny camera into your rectum. You need to take strong laxatives the day before to clean out your intestine. During the actual exam, you’ll most likely be sedated so you won’t feel a thing.

If precancerous polyps are spotted, they can be removed immediately. While not every polyp turns into cancer, nearly all colorectal cancers start out as adenomatous polyps.

Research has shown that removing precancerous polyps decreases the incidence and likelihood of dying from colorectal cancer. If cancer is present it can be detected at an earlier, more treatable stage. Colonoscopy saves lives—the most important statistic of any cancer screening.

Colon cancer is one of the few cancers that a screening test can prevent. But the exam only works if people use it.

Why Do People Delay Colonoscopy?

There are many reasons people delay this life-saving test. Some are simply embarrassed. Others are deterred by the bowel preparation, which is often the toughest part. Cost is another factor if the test is not covered by your insurance plan. 

Research shows that for Black Americans, socioeconomic factors, often combined with a deeply-ingrained distrust of the health-care system, can impact seeking the recommended colorectal cancer screenings. 

The Best Screening: The One You Will Do

Although colonoscopy is the gold standard in colon cancer screening, there are other options to screen for colon cancer. These screenings are done more frequently than the 10-year span usually recommended for colonoscopy if no polyps were detected in a previous screening.

  • FIT or fecal Immuno-histochemistry test: annual
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy: every 5 years (or every 10 when combined with FIT)
  • CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy): every 5 years
  • FIT-DNA testing (example, Cologuard) combines FIT with a test that detects cancer cells in the stool: every 3 years

At the end of the day, the best test is the one you will actually do or follow through with. Please talk to your doctor about colon cancer screening. It can save your life.

author name

Andrea L. Stern, MD

Andrea L. Stern, MD, is a physician with LG Health Physicians Family Medicine Mount Joy and has expertise in the full spectrum of family medicine.  Dr. Stern is a graduate of Boston University School of Medicine and served her residency at Lancaster General Hospital.

Call: 717-653-2929

About LG Health Hub

The LG Health Hub features breaking medical news and straightforward advice to help individuals of all ages make healthy choices and reach their wellness goals. The blog puts articles by trusted Lancaster General Health clinical experts, good 'n healthy recipes, videos, patient stories, and health risk assessments at your fingertips.

 

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