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Colon cancer is the third-most commonly diagnosed cancer in Delaware.

Delaware has made significant progress in helping people get screened for colorectal cancer. We know that you — and all health care providers — are keeping the importance of colon cancer screenings top of mind. Continue to recommend a colonoscopy or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to your patients who need a colorectal cancer screening.

A doctor discussing a colon cancer diagnosis with a patient.

Who Should Be Screened?

Your patients should be screened for colon cancer if they:

  • Are age 45 or older
  • Eat a diet high in red or processed meats
  • Are obese
  • Are heavy alcohol users
  • Have Type 2 diabetes
  • Are African American
  • Have a history of colorectal adenomatous polyps
  • Have a history of colon cancer
  • Have a history of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease

Be Aware of Younger Onset Colorectal Cancer

People have a greater risk of being diagnosed at a younger age if they:

  • Have relatives diagnosed with colon cancer
  • Have diabetes
  • Have inflammatory bowel disease
  • Are obese (20 or more pounds overweight)
  • Have been diagnosed with Lynch syndrome
  • Drink more sweetened beverages and less milk
  • Are African American
  • Eat processed meats

Symptoms

If your younger patients are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may recommend a colorectal cancer screening:

Screenings

Types of Colorectal Cancer Screenings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two types of colorectal cancer screenings:

  • Colonoscopy An outpatient procedure during which an endoscope is used to look for and remove polyps in the colon.
  • FIT test An at-home test kit that requires the patient to collect a stool sample and mail it to a lab for testing.

Patient Education Materials for Your Office