(BlackDoctor.org) — Cancer of the colon or rectum is the third
most common type of cancer in African American men and the
second most common type in African American women. The American
College of Gastroenterologists has issued new guidelines for
African Americans regarding screening for colon cancer. Noting
that African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with
colon cancer at a younger age, they are suggesting that African
Americans begin getting colonoscopies at age 45 – 5 years
earlier than whites. Colon cancer is the leading cause of
cancer-related deaths among African Americans. The College hopes
that earlier screening could detect colon problems at a more
treatable stage.