Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death among men and the fourth-most fatal for women – but it doesn’t have to be. This March, during Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Kaiser Permanente internal medicine physician Dr. Adam Jonas urges everyone to take a simple step to protect their health: get screened.
“Colon cancer is one of the few cancers that we can detect early and even prevent entirely with regular screening,” says Jonas, an internal medicine physician who sees patients at the Kaiser Permanente Everett Medical Center. “We have excellent cure rates when it’s caught early.”
Screening guidelines have recently changed, with the recommended age now lowered to 45 for average-risk individuals. In 2023, the American Cancer Society reported that 20 per cent of colon cancer diagnoses were in patients under age 55, which is about double the rate in 1995. That’s an important shift as experts are seeing colon cancer diagnoses increase among younger adults. “It’s something we’re still trying to fully understand,” Jonas says. “Changes in diet, exercise habits and rising obesity rates all seem to be contributing factors.”
Eating fresh, whole foods, especially vegetables and whole grains, and staying physically active are important steps to helping prevent colon cancer. Photo courtesy of Kaiser Permanente.
For most people, there are two main screening options. Perhaps the most well known is a colonoscopy, typically performed once every 10 years. “A colonoscopy is very thorough and, in many cases, it’s a one-and-done for a decade,” Jonas explains.
For those who prefer a less invasive approach, Fecal Immunochemical Therapy, or a FIT kit, has become another reliable option. “The technology has improved significantly,” Jonas says. “It’s effective, though you do need to do it every year. And if the result is positive, we follow up with a colonoscopy.” This test is simple and can be performed from the comfort of your own home, Jonas notes. It involves putting a small amount of stool on a card and returning the test by mail.
The importance of early detection can’t be overstated, especially for those with a family history of cancer. “If you have a first-degree relative with colon cancer, or if cancer runs strongly in your family, that puts you in a higher-risk category,” Jonas notes. “We encourage those patients to speak with their physicians about starting screening even earlier.”
Beyond screening, Jonas emphasizes prevention through lifestyle choices. “We’re seeing more colon cancer cases, and diet seems to play a big role,” he says. Highly processed foods, low fiber, and sedentary habits are all contributing factors. “We encourage people to eat fresh, whole foods, especially vegetables and whole grains, and to stay physically active.”
Colon cancer often doesn’t show symptoms until it’s advanced. That’s why routine screening is key. “Don’t wait for symptoms,” Jonas urges. “Outcomes for colon cancer improve the earlier we diagnose the disease. Screening can save your life.”
For more information on colon cancer prevention and screening options, visit kp.org. Follow Kaiser Permanente on Facebook or Instagram for more.
