Jose M. Baez, M.D., F.A.C.P., Board Certified by American Board of Internal Medicine
Not counting some kinds of skin cancer, colorectal cancer (often shortened to colon cancer) is the fourth most common cancer in men and women and is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Of cancers that affect both men AND women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn’t have to be.
Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—that can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment works best. About nine out of every 10 people whose colorectal cancers are found early and treated appropriately are still alive five years later.1
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults age 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. The decision to be screened between ages 76 and 85 should be made on an individual basis. If you are older than 75, talk to your doctor about screening. People at an increased risk of getting colorectal cancer should talk to their doctor about when to begin screening, which test is right for them, and how often to get tested.
What types of screening are available?
Treating cancer starts with knowing you have it. Finding cancer early is important to improve treatment outcomes and survival. The vast majority of cancers show no symptoms until later stages, when treatment options may be limited. Today, many cancers are found too late, when outcomes are often deadly.
Some common tests for colorectal cancer include:
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
For this test, the doctor puts a short, thin, flexible, lighted tube into your rectum. The doctor checks for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and lower third of the colon.
How often: Every 5 years, or every 10 years with a FIT every year.
Colonoscopy
This is similar to flexible sigmoidoscopy, except the doctor uses a longer, thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and the entire colon. During the test, the doctor can find and remove most polyps and some cancers. Colonoscopy also is used as a follow-up test if anything unusual is found during one of the other screening tests.
How often: Every 10 years (for people who do not have an increased risk of colorectal cancer).
CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)
Computed tomography (CT) colonography, also called a virtual colonoscopy, uses X-rays and computers to produce images of the entire colon, which are displayed on a computer screen for the doctor to analyze.
How often: Every 5 years.
Cologuard test
Cologuard looks for changes in your DNA that could indicate the presence of colon cancer or precancerous polyps. Polyps are growths on the colon’s surface that may develop into cancer. Cologuard is gaining popularity because it’s far less invasive and more convenient than a traditional colonoscopy.
Cologuard is done at home with a kit that your doctor will give you a prescription for.
Galleri Blood Test
The Galleri test may present a far more efficient way of detecting cancer. Instead of searching for any one type of cancer, it screens an individual for multiple cancers. Its potential is to change the current screening process from screening for individual cancers to one where individuals are screened for multiple cancers with a single blood test.2
Which test is right for you?
Each test has advantages and disadvantages. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each test, and how often to be tested. Which test to use depends on:
• Your preferences.
• Your medical condition.
• Your personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
• If you have a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).
• The likelihood that you will get the test.
• The resources available for testing and follow-up.
If you’d like to speak to a professional about colorectal screening, contact Dr. Jose Baez, MD. Dr. Baez is a Board-certified physician with more than 30 years’ experience. He can be contacted via email at info@JoseMBaezMD.com or by calling his office at 239.777.0663. His website (www.josembaezmd.com) includes information about concierge medicine and how it can work for you.
About Dr. Baez
José M Baez MD, FACP is a Board-certified Internal Medicine specialist with over 30 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He is a Graduate of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in NY. As a Ward Attending at Harlem Hospital, affiliate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, he served the Greater NYC community. Subsequently, he established a private practice in Fairfield County, CT. He was also Assistant Clinical Professor at University of Connecticut, School of Medicine. Dr. Baez has been a stable member of the Naples community for 10 years, a member in good standing with the Collier County Medical Society and voted Naples Illustrated Top Physician 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
José M Baez
11181 HEALTH PARK BLVD., SUITE 1180
NAPLES, FL 34110
(239) 777-0663
1. Basic information about colorectal cancer (2022) Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/.
2. Bigleyj (2022) A new blood test can detect more than 50 types of
cancer, Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic. Available at:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-galleri-test/.