It’s March – which means Colon Cancer Awareness Month for 2022 has begun! Each year we take this opportunity to help promote the message that the key to beating colon cancer is with early detection by getting your screening colonoscopy.

“As a gastroenterologist in the Fort Worth area, a focus of my practice is doing a better job of promoting awareness and dispelling some of the outdated perceptions of colonoscopies. A colonoscopy is the best option for colon cancer screening because it enables a doctor to both detect and remove polyps during the same procedure.

For those that have had their first colonoscopy, we ask that you help spread the awareness message to family, friends, and co-workers that this is an easy exam that could save your life!”
– Jay Yepuri, MD

Colon Cancer Testing Options

Early diagnosis of colon cancer is the key to surviving the disease. When detected in its early stages through screening tests, 90% of colon cancer cases are preventable, treatable, and beatable.

Screening tests are categorized as visual and home screening exams. I wanted to provide an overview of the most popular exam in each category to help educate others on the available colon cancer screening options.

Visual-Based Screening

These tests look at the inside of the colon and rectum for any abnormal areas that might be polyps or cancer.

  • Exam: Colonoscopy
  • Overview: A procedure in which a flexible fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the anus to examine the colon to detect abnormalities in the colon and rectum.
  • Pros: Colonoscopy is the ONLY colon cancer screening exam that can both detect & remove polyps, which is why it is considered the gold standard for colon cancer screening. Patients experience no discomfort during the exam since they are sedated.
  • Cons: The colonoscopy prep can be unpleasant for some. The good news is that newer prep options are easier to complete than the older prep solutions.
  • Frequency: Depends on many factors including one’s personal and family history and the results of the first colonoscopy. In the best-case scenario, a colonoscopy is repeated every ten years.

To learn more about colonoscopy, I invite you to read my article on Colonoscopy FAQs.

If you want to schedule your screening colonoscopy, you can call our office at 817-267-8470 or schedule an appointment online. For patients wanting to bypass an office visit before their exam, please inquire about our Direct Access Colonoscopy scheduling option.

At-Home Screening

These tests collect a stool sample at home with a prescribed kit that is mailed to a lab for processing and analysis. When the analysis is complete, your doctor will go over the results with you.

  • Exam: Cologuard
  • Overview: Cologuard is a screening test that uses a stool sample (your bowel movement) to detect colorectal cancer and pre-cancer. Every day, your colon sheds cells that line the colon. As part of this process, normal cells, along with abnormal cells from pre-cancer or cancer, are shed into the colon. Cologuard detects the DNA and blood cells released from abnormal cells and can detect both pre-cancer and cancer if present.
  • Pros: The test can be done in the convenience of your home and there is no bowel prep. Unlike other non-invasive colorectal cancer screening tests, Cologuard can detect both pre-cancer and cancer.
  • Cons: If you test positive, you will then need a diagnostic Colonoscopy to verify the positive test and remove polyps should they exist. A diagnostic Colonoscopy is not fully covered by private insurance or Medicare (copays and deductibles may apply), so the out of pocket cost is higher for those with a positive Cologuard than if they would have used a Colonoscopy for their initial screening exam.
  • Frequency: Following a negative result, the American Cancer Society recommends a screening interval every three years with Cologuard.

To gain a more in-depth understanding of colon cancer screening tests, I encourage you to read my article on the Top 3 Colon Cancer Home Tests, which includes an analysis of colonoscopy to provide a comprehensive exam comparison.

colon cancer screening begins at age 45

Colon Cancer Awareness Events – DFW 2022

Whether you have a personal connection to colon cancer or want to help raise awareness, the DFW area has some great events that you can participate in. I’ve provided basic information on each event below, along with a link to the event website.

National Dress Blue Day

  • Date: Friday, March 4, 2022
  • Event Info: click here
  • Great opportunity to increase awareness at the office or with friends & family!

Evan White’s Brews & Blue – Bar Crawl for Colon Cancer Awareness

  • Date: Saturday, March 5, 2022
  • Location: Henderson Avenue (Dallas, TX)
  • Event Info: click here

*This is an adult event in Dallas that has raised over $50k since 2019 for colorectal cancer research.

Get Your Rear in Gear

  • Date: Sunday, March 20, 2022
  • Location: Trinity Park (Fort Worth, TX)
  • Event Info: click here

Colorectal Cancer 5k Walk-A-Thon

  • Date: Saturday, November 5, 2022
  • Location: River Legacy Park (Arlington, TX)
  • Event Info: click here