Statistics show that the risk of colon cancer today is 1 in 20, or 5 percent, but does this mean that everyone is equally at risk? The simple answer is “no.” There are several factors that affect the likelihood that you will develop colon cancer. Many factors are affected by lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol use, exercise, diet, and body weight. Other risk factors include family history, predisposition to polyps, and related diseases such as diabetes.
One other risk factor is ethnicity and race. Your risk for colon cancer is significantly affected by your race, and it even affects what age you should be screened for your first colonoscopy. Because of higher colon cancer incidence, African Americans are at higher risk for colon cancer and should begin screening at age 45 instead of age 50.
This fact does not exempt other races from colon cancer risk. We tend to focus on African Americans getting screened early, but are you aware of how other ethnicities rank in their respective colon cancer risk? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the ethnicity that is at the highest risk for colon cancer, second to African American, is white, followed by Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native people.
It is important to keep a balanced perspective in all of these statistics. If you are of African American descent, it does not mean that it is inevitable that you will get colon cancer. Conversely, being of American Indian descent or being Alaska Native does not mean you are not at risk for the disease. From recent research, the incidence of colon cancer in 2012 was 54 per 100,000 among African Americans (ethnicity group at highest risk) and 32 per 100,000 among American Indian and Alaska Native people (ethnicity group at lowest risk). Colon cancer risk is significant no matter your ethnicity.
The best decision you can make is to stay current with your annual well visits with your primary care physician and be prepared to schedule your initial colonoscopy when your doctor recommends it. Colon cancer is preventable and treatable when found in the early stages, but it requires appropriate screening and follow-up. The good news is that a clear colonoscopy does not have to be repeated for ten years, so that is reason enough to get screened at the right time. Prevent colon cancer before it starts and schedule your colonoscopy (Source: Centers for Disease Control).