Colon Cancer Screening: Pick the Best Option for You Read more: Colon Cancer Screening: Pick the Best Option for You Important: At Risk For A Heart Attack? Find Out Now.

A recent study on colon cancer screening showed for the first time that colonoscopy actually reduces the number of colon cancer deaths. While this had been the presumption, the National Polyp Study showed clear evidence colonoscopy improves survival rates by cutting the risk of death in half. When making decisions about having a colonoscopy, patients must consider their family history of the disease and their individual gastrointestinal story, says Newsmax Health contributor Dr. Erika Schwartz. While government health officials and the American Cancer Society advise people of average risk to have their first colonoscopy at age 50, Dr. Schwartz says having one sooner is important if they have relatives with a history of the disease. “The earlier they got it, the earlier you need to start the colonoscopy,” she says. SPECIAL: This Small Group of Doctors is Quietly Curing Cancer — Click Here for Info. And if your health has been compromised by gastrointestinal problems, that’s another reason to start earlier, she says. “Your own history is very important,” she says. “If you have history of irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, infections of the bowel, and history of diverticulitis, then you do need colonoscopies earlier.” During a colonoscopy, a flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the large intestine and any growths, known as polyps, are cut off and examined for cancer. While patients are typically comfortable during the procedure because they are sedated, the day before the exam they must drink laxatives and eat a modified diet to prep for the test — an experience many people dread. Colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon and rectum, is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third-leading cancer killer among men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. However, incidence rates have been declining mainly because of the detection and removal of precancerous polyps from screening, the ACS says. In addition to colonscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy also is offered for colon cancer screening. It is done once every five years and involves inserting a scope into the lower part of the colon, where polyps are most likely to be found, Dr. Schwartz says. It takes less time than the colonoscopy and doesn’t require as much bowel preparation. “But the sigmoidoscopy doesn’t cover as much ground,” she says. An annual stool blood test is another screening method, but it’s not considered as effective as the other screenings and if it’s abnormal a colonoscopy usually is the next step. While colon cancer screening is important, getting more fiber in your diet and taking omega-3 fish oil supplements also can help protect against colon cancer, Dr. Schwartz says.