45 Is the New 50: Colon Cancer Awareness Month Highlights Critical Age Shift March 10, 2025 A wave of groundbreaking screening innovations and revised guidelines are transforming how Americans fight the nation’s second deadliest cancer. As the medical community kicks off March’s Colon Cancer Awareness month, local experts point to notable progress including lowering the colon cancer screening age to 45 and newly game-changing blood tests and DNA screening technology that all promise to catch this silent killer before symptoms appear. Recently, the American Cancer Society and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force have updated their guidelines, recommending that adults at average risk begin regular colon cancer screenings at age 45 instead of the previous age of 50. “The shift to age 45 for beginning screenings represents a critical response to the alarming rise in colorectal cancer among younger adults,” said Dr. Greg Schwartz, a Corvallis-based gastroenterologist.* “When caught early, colon cancer has a 90% survival rate, which is why these updated guidelines are so important.” In addition to the new age guidelines, there have been advancements in screening technologies. One of the most notable is the introduction of the Shield blood test, which was approved by the FDA in 2024. This non-invasive test offers a method to check for colon cancer without needing a colonoscopy. There is also a new DNA test being used in the U.S. that predicts with over 90% accuracy whether someone with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is at risk of developing colon cancer. “For patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, this new DNA test is truly revolutionary,” Dr. Schwartz said. “It allows us to identify high-risk individuals and monitor them more effectively, potentially preventing cancer before it develops.” While these advancements offer promise, colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon cancer screening due to its ability to directly visualize the entire colon and detect abnormalities, such as polyps or tumors. “What makes colonoscopy uniquely valuable is that we can both detect and remove precancerous polyps in one procedure,” Dr. Schwartz said. ” With high sensitivity and specificity, colonoscopy helps identify early-stage cancers when they are most treatable, making it a critical tool for effective prevention and early detection of colon cancer.” In the U.S., there also has been a push to make screening more accessible. Many states now offer at-home stool tests, which are sent to individuals who are eligible for screening. This makes it easier for people, especially those who might have trouble getting to a clinic, to get screened. Colon cancer prevention remains an important focus. Research continues to show that what we eat and how we live play a role in colon cancer risk. Reducing processed meats, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and avoiding smoking and heavy drinking are key habits that help lower the risk. Looking forward, advancements in technology and research are expected to keep improving colon cancer screening and prevention. Artificial intelligence (AI) already is being used to help gastroenterologists analyze colonoscopy images more accurately, and with ongoing research into genetic markers, we could see more personalized screening in the near future. *Dr. Schwartz and the Mid-Valley Gastroenterology practice he represents will be joining Samaritan on April 1, 2025, under the new name of Samaritan Gastroenterology – Corvallis.
