Colorectal cancer screening in Steamboat Springs and surrounding areas lags as compared to more urban regions, and local medical professionals want residents to take advantage of screening methods that save lives.

“Lately, I have seen one to two new cases of colorectal cancer each week,” said Dr. Daniel Langer, a board-certified gastroenterologist and member of the medical staff at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. “There are several screening methods available that can make a huge difference to your health – educate yourself, talk to your doctor and don’t delay taking advantage of these valuable medical tools.”

Sobering statistics

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the second-most common cause of cancer deaths when numbers for men and women are combined, causing an estimated 53,000 deaths this year.

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Estimates for the number of colorectal cancers in the United States for 2025 are:

• About 107,320 new cases of colon cancer (54,510 in men and 52,810 in women).
• About 46,950 new cases of rectal cancer (27,950 in men and 19,000 in women).

The death rate for older adults has declined over the past few decades, likely because of increased screening that leads to detection and removal of pre-cancerous colorectal polyps before they develop into cancers.

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Unfortunately, for people under 55, the death rate has increased by about 1 percent per year for the past 25 years.

In Routt and Moffat counties, about five residents are diagnosed annually with colorectal cancer. While there isn’t exact data on the number of deaths from colorectal cancer in the area, the number of residents who die from the disease in rural counties in Colorado is 19% higher than in urban areas. Even more concerning is that the area’s screening rate is just 63%. This means about 4,200 residents are missing the potentially life-saving opportunity to prevent or detect the disease early.

Who should be screened and when?

In 2021, national screening guidelines were updated to recommend that someone with no risk factors should have their first colonoscopy at age 45 instead of age 50. If there are other risk factors such as family history, then screening should begin at an earlier age, often age 40 or 10 years earlier than the age at which their first-degree family member was diagnosed, whichever comes first.

But people of all ages, even those in their 20s and 30s, need to pay attention to the potential symptoms of colorectal cancer and see their primary care physician if they experience:

• Changes in bowel habits
• Unintentional weight loss
• Blood in stool
• Nausea, vomiting, fatigue and abdominal pain

Different types of colorectal screenings

Fortunately, there are several ways to check, or “screen,” for colorectal cancer, even before any symptoms appear. The most common test, and what Langer calls the “gold standard,” is a colonoscopy. A negative colonoscopy provides up to 10 years of protection.

“A colonoscopy offers more than just early detection of colon cancer. It also provides the opportunity to potentially prevent colon cancer before it develops. Polyps can be removed during the procedure before they become a problem,” Langer said.

Other simple tests that are less invasive (but less reliable) can be completed at home. These tests use a sample of your stool to check for hidden signals of colorectal cancer in your body; they include the fecal immunochemical test, or DNA and RNA tests such as Cologuard or Colosense. If an at-home test finds something unusual, you will need a colonoscopy to check for cancer, while negative results may eliminate the need for one.

In average risk individuals, it is recommended to repeat colonoscopy at 10-year intervals until somewhere between the ages of 75 and 85. Patients and providers should discuss whether there is need for subsequent screening based on individual risk in the context of overall health and life expectancy.

You may be eligible for free testing kits

To help increase screening rates and support the 11% of area residents without health insurance, the University of Colorado Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) is offering free FIT kits to uninsured and underinsured residents. The process is simple: Eligible individuals can request a kit, complete the test at home and return it using a prepaid envelope. Those who test positive will receive a colonoscopy at no cost, funded by the Colon Cancer Coalition.

To order a colorectal cancer screening test, visit FitforLife or call 720-441-2529. You can also email coe@cuanschutz.edu. Voicemail messages are available in both Spanish and English.

Ways to reduce your risk

Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, exercise and not smoking may help to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer no matter what your age. Not delaying recommended screenings are also key, Langer said.

“Colorectal screening is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Get it done and don’t put it off,” he said.

Mary Gay Broderick writes for UCHealth. She can be reached at marygaybroderick@comcast.net.