When colon cancer is caught early, it can be cured 90% of the time, yet a quarter of Massachusetts residents have never been screened or are not up-to-date with screening.

The only way to catch colon cancer early is to get screened, and you have options. Many people have heard about colonoscopies, but there’s also a test you can do at home.  This simple, yearly stool test can help prevent colon cancer and find early signs – before you have symptoms.

Who needs to be screened?

• Men and women who are 50 or older
• People with a higher risk — those with a personal or family history of polyps or colon cancer — should talk to their doctors about early screening
• African-Americans have a greater risk for colon cancer, so screening is especially important

Screening for colon cancer can help your doctor find and remove polyps (growths that can turn into cancer if not removed). It can also help doctors find cancer early, when treatment works best.

Both colonoscopies and at-home stool tests are covered by insurance — talk to your doctor about which option might be right for you.

Learn more about the at-home test.

Order/download free resources on colon cancer screening.

Tags: Awareness, cancer, colon, Department of Public Health, DPH, Month, Prevention