Unfortunately, colorectal cancer kills more Vermonters than any other cancer except lung. It is vitally important that people understand the importance of regular screening. The Healthy Vermonters 2010 goal for colorectal cancer screening is to have at least 50 percent of adults age 50 and older getting regular screening. There are several screening methods, each with advantages and disadvantages. Flexible sigmoidoscopy uses a hollow, lighted tube to visually inspect the wall of the rectum and the lower part of the colon.
Colonoscopy provides a view of the interior wall of the entire colon and rectum.
Deciding which test or combination of tests to use depends on a person's risk for cancer, and should be made in consultation with a health care professional. The incidence of colorectal cancer, as with many cancers, is extremely low in childhood and increases dramatically with age. In the United States, about 75 percent of all new cases of colorectal cancer occur in people with no known risks for the disease. The remaining cases occur in people who have a family history of colorectal cancer, previous adenomatous polyps, or a condition such as inflammatory bowel disease. Vermont's colorectal cancer incidence rate is statistically worse than the U.S. rate.