when should you get screened for colon cancer

You should usually start colon cancer screening in your mid‑40s , but the exact timing depends on your risk factors and when to stop depends on your overall health.

Typical starting age

For most people at average risk (no major family or personal risk factors):

• Start regular colorectal cancer screening at age 45.

• Continue screening regularly until about 75 if you are otherwise in good health.

When you might start earlier

You should talk to a doctor about starting screening before 45 if you have:

• A first‑degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with colon or rectal cancer or advanced polyps, especially if they were diagnosed before 60.

• A personal history of colon polyps or colorectal cancer.

• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).

• A known hereditary syndrome (like familial adenomatous polyposis or Lynch syndrome).

• Prior radiation to the abdomen or pelvis for another cancer.

In these higher‑risk situations, screening can begin as early as age 40 , 10 years before your relative’s diagnosis age, or even in the teen years for some genetic syndromes.

When screening can often stop

• From 76–85 , screening decisions are individualized based on overall health, life expectancy, and past screening history.

• After about 85 , screening is usually stopped because the potential benefits drop compared with the risks and burdens of testing.

How often to get screened

Common schedules for average‑risk adults 45–75 include:

• Colonoscopy every 10 years if results are normal.

• Stool‑based tests (like FIT) every year ; any abnormal result must be followed by colonoscopy.

• Other options (like stool DNA tests every 1–3 years, CT colonography every 5 years, or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5–10 years) may be used based on access and preference.

Quick Scoop (story‑style snapshot)

Imagine two 45‑year‑olds:

• Alex has no family history and feels fine. Their doctor recommends starting with an at‑home stool test this year, repeating it yearly, and doing a colonoscopy only if something looks off.

• Jordan’s dad had colon cancer at 52. Jordan’s doctor suggested colonoscopy at 42 (10 years before dad’s diagnosis) and repeating it every 5 years if normal.

Both feel healthy, but their starting age and schedule differ because their risk levels are different.

What’s trending now

In the last few years, more experts and health campaigns have emphasized that younger adults are being diagnosed more often , which is a big reason why guidelines shifted down from 50 to 45 for average‑risk people. You’ll see more reminders in 2025–2026 health campaigns that “45 is the new 50” for colon cancer screening.

If you tell me your age and any family history or conditions (like polyps or IBD), I can give a more tailored “should I be screened now?” answer based on these guideline patterns.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.