Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, yet it remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The difference often comes down to one simple but powerful factor: early detection.
When caught in its earliest stages, colorectal cancer is highly treatable, with significantly improved survival rates. In these instances, screening doesn’t just detect cancer, it can actually prevent it. Most colorectal cancers begin as small, noncancerous growths called polyps. Routine screening allows physicians to identify and remove these polyps before they have the chance to become cancerous.
“Colorectal cancer is unique in that screening can both detect cancer early and stop it before it starts,” said Patrick Boland, medical oncologist in the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute/Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center and RWJBarnabas Health. “That’s why staying up to date on screening is one of the most important steps people can take for their long-term health.”
Despite this, screening rates remain lower than they should be. Fear, lack of awareness, and misconceptions about the process often prevent people from taking action. Some assume screening is only necessary if symptoms are present, but early colorectal cancer frequently causes no symptoms at all. By the time warning signs such as rectal bleeding, persistent abdominal discomfort, or changes in bowel habits appear, the disease may already be more advanced.
While incidence is dropping in older adults due to screening, it is rising in adults under 55, with 1 in 5 diagnoses occurring in this younger group. Health experts recommend that adults at average risk begin regular screening at age 45. However, those with a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors may need to start earlier.
Why Colonoscopy is the Gold Standard
While there are several screening options available, including stool-based tests and other imaging tools, colonoscopy remains the recommended and most comprehensive screening method for colorectal cancer. Unlike other tests that primarily detect signs of cancer, a colonoscopy allows a physician to directly examine the entire colon and rectum and remove polyps during the same procedure.
“Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard because it allows us to both find and remove precancerous polyps in one step,” said Dr. Boland. “It’s a powerful tool that significantly reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancer.”
The procedure itself typically takes less than an hour, and patients are usually able to return to normal activities the following day.
Screening Saves Lives
Lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use, can influence colorectal cancer risk, but healthy habits do not replace screening. Even people who feel perfectly healthy can harbor precancerous polyps without knowing it.
The message is clear: colorectal screening saves lives. If you’re 45 or older, or have risk factors that may require earlier testing, talk to your healthcare provider about scheduling a colonoscopy. Catching it early truly can change the outcome.
To schedule a screening or learn more, visit rwjbh.org/colonscreening. Resources are also available through RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.