Colon Cancer Screenings Can Save Lives
July 22, 2025
In 2024, about 153,000 people in the U.S. were told they had colorectal cancer (also called CRC). It’s the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the country—and the top cancer killer for men and women between ages 20 and 49.
But there’s good news: colon cancer is often preventable, and screening can help catch it early, when it’s easiest to treat.
“Screening saves lives,” say Presbyterian gastroenterologists Dr. Pradeep Reddy Kathi and Dr. Vipin Mittal.
Even though screening works, many people aren’t getting tested. Around 70% of eligible adults are getting screened, but only about 1 in 5 people between ages 45 and 49 are getting checked. In New Mexico, there were 960 new colon cancer cases in 2024. Presbyterian’s team in Albuquerque treated 113 of those—many of which might have been prevented with earlier testing.
When Should You Get Screened?
Experts recommend starting regular colon cancer screening at age 45 if you’re at average risk. That age used to be 50, but younger people are getting colon cancer more often now.
If you have risk factors—like a family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease—your doctor may recommend starting even earlier.
How Do Screenings Work?
There are different ways to get screened:
Stool tests (done at home)
Colonoscopy (done in a clinic and the most thorough option)
Blood tests (new and not widely available yet)
Stool and blood tests are only for people at average risk. If those test results are positive, or if you’re in a higher-risk group, a colonoscopy is needed. For personalized advice, talk to your Presbyterian provider. They’ll help you choose the right screening test and support you in making healthy lifestyle choices.
Presbyterian’s Gastroenterology and Cancer Care providers work closely together to support you through any diagnosis or treatment, like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
