Colorectal cancer accounts to more than 50,000 deaths annually in America ranking second among cancer deaths. Medical groups have for a long time endorsed screening for this cancer to be initiated at age of fifty years. However, the rise in cases of number of people under the age of 50 with colorectal cancer has fueled the need for lowering the age of colorectal cancer screening. Cancer organizations are hence recommending that screening start at age of 45 instead of 50. Majority of patients with this type of cancer are older people, with more than 90% of diagnosed case being people over the age of 50. However, recent research has shown increase in the cancer among people under the age of 50, in particular being people between age of 45 to 49. The lowering of screening age will see an additional 22 million adults of 45-49 years of age screened. This is meant to increase the early detection of this cancer that will save many lives.

Colorectal cancer is no longer a disease for the older; it can occur at any age. Early detection of cancer is important in treatment and control of the disease. In lowering the screening age to 45, many cases will be detected at an early stage. However, there are issues to be sorted out such as whether insurance will cater for the early tests and The risks associated with procedures such as colonoscopy. To mitigate these risks cancer organizations will require physicians to offer patient a range of six screening options. This will ensure that more people accept screening since they can choose the screening procedure.

Work Cited

Rabin, Roni Caryn. “Cancer Group Calls for Colorectal Cancer Screening Starting at Age 45.” The New York Times, 2 June 2020, www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/well/cancer-group-calls-for-colorectal-cancer-screening-starting-at-age-45.html.