According to a 2025 survey conducted by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, only 51% of U.S. adults 21 and older say they have had a routine cancer screening or medical appointment in the past year, which is a 10% drop from 2024.
What makes this especially concerning is that cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. There are many reasons why people avoid cancer screenings. Some may not be aware of what the guidelines are, so they don’t know what cancers they should be screened for and when. Some may worry their health insurance won’t cover it, and are concerned about the cost. Some may be too busy or are unable to take time off work to go. And some may worry what the results of their cancer screening will be, deciding they would rather not know.
Ready for a wake-up call? Cancer screenings are crucial. According to the National Institutes of Health, cancer screenings save millions of lives, accounting for more than 4.75 million averted deaths from breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers between 1975 and 2020. There’s one type of cancer that’s currently on the rise that being screened for can not only help catch it early, but even prevent it.
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The Cancer Screening You Shouldn’t Skip
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One type of cancer that is on the rise, particularly among people younger than 55, is colorectal cancer. It’s the third most diagnosed cancer in the U.S. and the third leading cause of cancer deaths. According to the Cancer Research Institute, an estimated 1 in 24 men and 1 in 26 women will get colorectal cancer.
“Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50,” says Dr. Bill Dahut, MD, the chief scientific officer at American Cancer Society. Dr. Dahut says that it isn’t known for sure why colorectal cancer is becoming more common and why more people 55 and younger are being diagnosed, but it’s likely due to a few reasons.
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One likely cause, Dr. Dahut says, is poor diet and lack of exercise. Scientific research shows that diets high in red meat, ultra-processed food, sugar, refined grains and alcohol are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer—all foods that Americans are eating more of. He says that genetics is also likely a factor.
Dr. Sriram Rangarajan, MD, an oncology surgeon with the Orlando Health Colon and Rectal Institute, says that another possible reason for the increase in colorectal cancer is that many people are not getting screened for it. The American Cancer Society recommends that people of average risk for colon or colorectal cancer start regular screenings at age 45, which is done by getting a colonoscopy.
There are times when people younger than 45 should be screened for colorectal cancer. “One should consider getting a colonoscopy earlier than this if they have a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or sibling who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, especially if the diagnosis was at an age less than 10 years prior to the current recommended screening age, which is currently 55,” Dr. Rangaranjan says. He adds that people with inflammatory bowel disease should also be screened earlier because they are at an increased risk.
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Dr. Paul Oberstein, MD, a gastrointestinal oncologist with NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, explains that colonoscopies are typically covered by one’s health insurance if they are 45 or older, but recommends checking with your individual provider to be sure. Depending on the results of your colonoscopy, Dr. Dahut says that your doctor will recommend your next one be anywhere from a year later to 10 years later.
All three doctors emphasize that colonoscopies can truly be life-saving when it comes to colorectal and colon cancers. “Colonoscopies are a unique cancer screening because they not only detect cancer, but can also prevent it,” Dr. Dahut says. He explains that during a colonoscopy, the doctor may discover pre-cancer lesions called polyps. If a polyp is found, the doctor removes it, which prevents it from developing into cancer inside the body.
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Colorectal cancer has a 90% survival rate when detected early. Dr. Dahut says that, unfortunately, by the time symptoms start occurring (such as changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool or unexplained weight loss), the survival rate is much lower.
Maybe you’ve been putting off getting a colonoscopy because you just don’t want to go through it. It might sound both uncomfortable and embarrassing. Dr. Dahut emphasizes that it isn’t as bad as most people think.
The day before your colonoscopy, Dr. Rangarajan says you’ll be put on a clear-liquid diet. You may also be given a laxative. “The idea is to clear your gastrointestinal tract,” he says. Dr. Rangarajan says to set aside a couple of hours for the procedure, although the procedure itself only takes about 30 minutes. “The procedure is done under Propofol—also known as moderate sedation or monitored anesthesia care. You will not feel anything or remember anything, but you will be breathing on your own throughout,” he explains.
Dr. Dahut says that any polyps found during the procedure are removed. Afterward, your doctor will go over the results of your colonoscopy with you. Then, you can go home. Not too bad, right?
A colonoscopy is a short procedure and it’s one that can save your life. If you’re 45 or older and have never had one, make 2026 the year you get one on the books.
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Sources:
Dr. Bill Dahut, MD, chief scientific officer at American Cancer SocietyDr. Sriram Rangarajan, MD, oncology surgeon with the Orlando Health Colon and Rectal InstituteDr. Paul Oberstein, MD, gastrointestinal oncologist with NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center2025 Early Detection Survey. Prevent Cancer FoundationLeading Causes of Death. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health StatisticsIn five cancer types, prevention and screening have been major contributors to saving lives. National Institutes of HealthColorectal Cancer Rates Are Skyrocketing in Young Adults — Is Your Lifestyle Putting You At Risk? Cancer Research Institute Kumar, A., Chinnathambi, S., Kumar, M., et al. (2023). Food Intake and Colorectal Cancer.Nutrition and Cancer. 75(9):1710-1742American Cancer Society Guideline for Colorectal Cancer Screening. American Cancer SocietyScreening and Prevention. Colorectal Cancer AllianceHence then, the article about most people delay this cancer screening but it should be your 1 was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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