We all want to stay healthy and independent as we age. Regular movement, smart nutrition and staying connected all help. So does keeping up with cancer screenings that can catch problems early. 

Colorectal cancer, also called colon or rectal cancer, is the second most common cause of cancer death in the U.S. when deaths in men and women are combined.

It often starts as a polyp, a small growth in the large intestine. Many polyps are harmless, but some can become cancer over time. It affects men and women and is more common in adults over 50. Rates have been rising in younger adults, which is one reason many guidelines now start screening earlier than they used to.

When colorectal cancer is found at a localized stage, the five-year relative survival rate is about 91%.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to a third of people are not up to date on current colorectal cancer screening recommendations.

WARNING SIGNS 

Early colorectal cancer may cause no symptoms. When symptoms do show up, they can be easy to brush off as hemorrhoids, stress or a stomach bug. Tell a health care professional if you notice:

• Blood in the stool or rectal
bleeding

• Dark, tarry stools

• A change in bowel habits that lasts more than a few days

• Ongoing belly pain, cramping or gas

• A persistent feeling you need to have a bowel movement, even after you go

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fatigue or weakness

The American Cancer Society recommends routine screening for adults at average risk starting at 45 and continuing through 75. If you’re over 75, talk to your doctor.

You may need earlier or more frequent screening if you have a higher risk, including a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or certain polyps, an inherited syndrome such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis, long-standing inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or prior radiation to the abdomen or pelvis.

If you are not getting regular screenings, it is not too late to start.

MORE WAYS TO SCREEN

Several colorectal cancer screening methods are available for adults at average risk, including newer FDA-approved options introduced as recently as last year.

• Colonoscopy (every 10 years, if normal): Colonoscopy remains the most effective colorectal cancer screening test because it’s the only one that allows a doctor to view the entire colon. A doctor uses a small camera and polyps can be removed during the same exam. It can even detect any other health problems. Requires bowel prep and usually sedation, so you will need a ride home. 

• Stool-based tests (every year to every 3 years, depending on the test): At-home kits check for hidden blood or other warning signs in your stool. No bowel prep and no procedure. If the test is abnormal, the next step is usually a colonoscopy.

• Virtual colonoscopy, CT colonography (every 5 years, if normal): A CT scan creates pictures of the colon. No sedation, but bowel prep is still required. If something looks suspicious, you will need a colonoscopy to remove polyps or take a biopsy.

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy (often every 5 years, if normal): A camera checks only the lower part of the colon. Usually no sedation. Because it does not examine the full colon, abnormal results typically lead to a colonoscopy.

• Blood-based screening (repeat interval varies): A simple blood draw looks for signals linked to colorectal cancer. No stool sample and no bowel prep. An abnormal result needs follow-up with a colonoscopy, and coverage can vary by insurance plan.

KEEP UP WITH SCREENINGS

Screening is key, but lifestyle choices also play a role in colorectal cancer risk.

A diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains and lower in fat is linked to a lower risk of colon cancer. Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol can also reduce risk. Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight may help, too.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to a third of people are not up to date on current colorectal cancer screening recommendations. The majority of these people have never had any screening test performed. 

If you are not getting regular colorectal cancer screenings, it is not too late to start. Talk with your health care provider about your risk and which screening option makes the most sense for you. Bring a short list of questions to your appointment and jot down notes so you do not forget the details.

Whether you have Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, ask your plan what tests are covered and what out-of-pocket costs you should expect before you schedule anything.

Once you and your doctor choose a test, go ahead and book it. This is a small step that doesn't take much time, and it could save your life. 

 Actor James Van Der Beek publicly shared in 2024 that he had stage 3 colorectal cancer after being diagnosed in 2023. He used his platform as an actor to encourage people to get screened, noting he did not realize the recommended screening age had dropped to 45. Van Der Beek died February 11, 2026, at 48, a reminder that colorectal cancer can be serious even for people who feel healthy.