All about colon cancer screening at 45
There’s no such thing as low risk for colon cancer
Colon cancer is the #1 leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. for adults under the age of 50.1
So if you’re 45 or older and at average risk, now is the time to get screened.
Talk to your doctor about screening methods and which one works best with your needs and risk level. The good news? You have noninvasive options, such as the Cologuard Plus® test.
Why 45 is the new 50
The American Cancer Society (ACS) published a new study, and the results show why early detection matters.
Colon cancer affects all races, genders, and ethnicities.2 Black and American Indian/Alaska Native people have a higher-than-normal risk.
It’s the only type where its mortality rate has increased since 2005, compared to the 4 other leading causes of cancer death.1
3 out of 4 patients under 50 are diagnosed with advanced colon cancer.1
75% of people diagnosed have no family history of colon cancer3
And many patients with early-stage colon cancer don’t even have symptoms. That’s why early detection is so important.4
Most preventable, yet least prevented5
An estimated 60 million Americans at average risk are eligible for screening.6 This is important because when caught in its early stages, colon cancer is survivable in 9 out of 10 people.7,*
Know your risk for colon cancer
You’re considered at average risk if you10:- Don’t have a personal or first-degree family history of colon cancer
- Haven’t had a positive result from past colon cancer screenings
- Don’t have a personal history of certain gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), chronic ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
Use the leading stool DNA colon cancer test in the privacy of your home8
- FDA-approved
- No prep, no time off
- Collect a sample in a few minutes
- Results are available within 8 to 10 days
Why choose the Cologuard Plus test
No hassle, no prep
Your kit is delivered right to your door. Keep your diet and medications as they are.
Your time, your space, your pace
No in-person appointment is needed. Collect your stool sample at home and on your schedule.
Proven to be accurate
As found in separate studies, the Cologuard Plus test detects 95% of colon cancers, comparable to a colonoscopy.9,10,**,†The name trusted by 20 million patients11 and over 340,000 providers12
Cologuard® is simple, effective, and FDA-approved.
Knowledge is prevention
Step Behind the Screen – our blog about all things colon cancer. Get started by diving into one of our popular articles – So you want to use Cologuard Plus – that talks about accuracy and what to really expect when using your kit at home.
Screen every 3 years
The American Cancer Society recommends screening every 3 years following a negative Cologuard Plus result.13
Most insured people pay $0‡
The Cologuard Plus test is covered for people who are at average risk for colon cancer by Medicare and many major insurers. It only takes a moment to confirm if your insurance is in-network.
A limited number of patients may receive the original Cologuard test, which detects 92% of colon cancers.14
“It made me wonder why I didn’t do this five years ago when I was first eligible to get screened.”
Decoding colon cancer
Explore the impact of early detection. From the benefits of screening and the latest guidelines to inspiring stories from survivors, make us your trusted source for life-saving information.
Go Behind the Screen
Because while colon cancer is serious, conversations about it don’t have to be.
Get screened at 45
Learn about the benefits of timely screenings and why everyone at average risk should start screening at 45.