Colon cancers start out as a polyp, or small growth, in the colon that causes no symptoms. Although polyps can't be felt, they can be picked up by screening tests before they cause a problem. It takes up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become a full-blown cancer, which gives doctors time to remove the polyp before it causes a problem.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently drafted new recommended guidelines which state colon cancer screenings should begin at 45-years-old. This is in response to the increase we are seeing of colon cancer diagnoses in younger adults. However, many insurance companies still do not cover the cost of screenings for those below the age of 50. In the past, the disease had predominantly been found in adults 50-years or older, but for those predisposed to get it at a younger age, these new guidelines could potentially help catch it at an earlier stage.
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