Colonoscopies Are Key to Early Detection and Lifesaving Care

3/7/2025

LAREDO, Texas – Many people often shudder when their doctor informs them it’s time for a screening colonoscopy. But regular screening, beginning at age 45 for people with average risk factors, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women combined in the United States, with an expected 107,320 new cases of colorectal cancer expected to be diagnosed this year. One in 24 men and one in 26 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetimes.

The National Cancer Institute reports that an average of 83 people in Webb County were diagnosed with rectal or colon cancer between 2017 and 2021.

“While mortality rates from colon cancer have been declining over the past 10 years, the number of new diagnoses is actually increasing in people younger than 50 by 1% to 2% annually since the mid-1990s,” says Dr. Elsa Canales, a gastroenterologist with Gastroenterology Consultants of Laredo and a medical staff member at Laredo Medical Center. “This is both good news and bad news – we are doing a better job of screening for and removing polyps before they become cancerous, while lifestyle and diet choices are driving up the risk and incidence of these cancers in general.”

In addition to changing the screening age from 50 to 45, the ACS also issued some additional guidance on screening methods that patients and their doctors can consider. If a colonoscopy is not recommended at this time, or there are financial or other barriers to the procedure, talk to your physician about one of these less invasive screening methods:

• Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) – stool-based test recommended once per year
• Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) – stool-based test once per year
• Multi-targeted stool DNA test (MT-sDNA) – stool-based test, once every 3 years
• CT Colonography – virtual colonoscopy, once every 5 years
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG) – once every 5 years

“While colonoscopy remains the gold standard, there are several diagnostic and lab tools that can screen for the presence of blood or polyps in the colon,” says Dr. Canales. “However, patients should be aware that an abnormal result in any of these tests must be followed by a full colonoscopy, in order to mitigate the increased risk of cancer, and to promptly remove any polyps. This fact should be considered by both patient and physician, before any of these lesser screening methods are used.”

Finally, the updated guidance includes very specific precautions for those at increased risk of colon cancer. For these patients, the physician may advise initial screening before age 45, being screened more often, and/or using specific screening methods to ensure polyps are found and removed early, before they can become cancerous. These risk factors include:

• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer, or of certain types of polyps
• A personal history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• A history of radiation in the abdomen or pelvis, in treatment of previous cancer(s)
• A genetic and hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome

While it is one of the most common forms of cancer, colon cancer is also highly preventable and treatable. Healthy diet and lifestyle choices, combined with proactive screening and prompt removal of any polyps, can dramatically reduce your risk of contracting this disease. Also, never ignore changes of any kind in your bowel habits. Rectal bleeding should not be ignored, too. Be prepared to share details with your physician, including frequency, consistency and any type of discomfort or dysfunction.

A physician’s order from your primary care doctor is generally required for a screening colonoscopy. Search for a primary care provider by visiting https://www.laredophysicianassociates.com/family-medicine-care or call Laredo Medical Center at (956) 796-3223.

Back