I’m Over 40: Should I Think About A Colonoscopy Now?

As we get older, it’s important to pay more attention to our bodies. A sensible diet and exercise do much to keep our machinery in tip-top shape, but preventative maintenance like a colon cancer screening could be in order as well.

The gold standard for colon cancer screenings is a colonoscopy, which most physicians recommend we have when we turn 50.

But if you’re in your 40s, or even younger, you might want to consider moving that appointment time up to your current age. Why? A family history of cancer, especially colon cancer, means that your risk is much higher than the average person’s.

According to the American Cancer Society, people at increased or high risk of colorectal cancer include:

• those with a personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous (precancerous) polyps;
• a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease;
• a strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps; and/or
• a known family history of a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome.

If you fall into one of these categories, or believe that you might, there are some easy steps to take. First, talk to family members to double-check the incidence of cancer in your relatives. Then take that information to your physician, who can look it over and make some recommendations. You may find that 43, or 37, or however old you are is “the new 50” when it comes to getting a colonoscopy.