It’s the holding tank of the human body: the colon. The colon helps our bodies run efficiently.

“The colon has a big role in absorbing a lot of water. It does absorb some nutrients but it absorbs a lot of water, it’s like a water reservoir for us,” explains Dr. Cesar Santiago, a colorectal surgeon on the medical staff of  Lee Memorial Health System. That’s why it’s important to make sure that the colon continues to run properly.

“The highest incident of colorectal cancer in the general population is about 65 years old,” adds Dr. Santiago. He says it takes between 10 and 15 years for a full blown cancer to develop.

Since most colon cancers are diagnosed at the age of 65, it’s a good idea for people to be screened at least 10 years earlier. “That’s why we recommend screening at 50, although, I should say as a caviat, if you have any family history or anyone diagnosed lets say at 45, then you take ten years off that age and that’s when you should start screening.”

Most cases of colon cancer being as small non-cancerous cells and over time can develop into cancer, which is why it’s important to have regular screenings.