7. Colon Cancer Is on the Rise
In 2018, the American Cancer Society revised its screening guidelines to recommend that people of average risk for colon cancer have their first screen at age 45 rather than 50. The age was lowered because studies showed that incidence of colorectal cancer “was increasing at alarming rates in younger people,” says Laura Marakoff, DO, the senior vice president of prevention, early detection, and survivorship at the ACS.
Regular screens should continue until 75 (or sometimes 85, depending on the person’s overall health and life expectancy). People at increased risk, such as those with a family or personal history of colon cancer or a history of inflammatory bowel disease, should talk to their doctor about screening earlier than 45.
There are a number of ways to screen for colon cancer. No test is better than the other, Dr. Marakoff says, with your choice primarily based on personal preference.
Options include:
- Stool-based tests like the highly sensitive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or highly sensitive guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT), done once a year
- Multi-targeted stool DNA (mt-sDNA) (such as Cologuard) every three years
- Visual exam of the colon and rectum with CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) or with flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG) that examines the lower colon, done every five years
- Colonoscopy, in which the entire colon is examined, once every 10 years
8. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
All sexually active women 24 and younger should be screened at least annually for chlamydia and for gonorrhea, and additional testing should be done for all people of any age who have new sex partners or are otherwise at risk, the USPSTF says.
Adolescents and adults ages 15 to 65 should also be screened for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the task force says.
How often these screens should be repeated depends on a person’s risk. For example, HIV tests should be repeated whenever you have sex with someone who’s HIV status is unknown.