Colon cancer is now one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. But it’s also a disease that is preventable.

Dr. Bradley Trope is a gastroenterologist with Lee Memorial Health System. He says, “there’s a fairly long lag period between when the first genetic defect starts and when a cancer finally develops so this really is a cancer that provides an opportunity to be picked up early and prevented.” With more people getting screened for colon cancer some physicians are offering options other than the standard colonoscopy.

“There are a number of experimental options out there including genetic stool tests, virtual colonoscopy; none of them routinely used at this time and at this point the most sensitive and effective method remains a colonoscopy,” says Dr. Trope. Many people may avoid a colonoscopy because of the uncomfortable side effects that are involved in preparing for it. But physicians remind patients to consider the alternative. “Given the alternative between mild discomfort of which is predominately the prep is done before the procedure an alternative of colon cancer it really is an easy choice,” says Dr. Trope. Once the prep is completed physicians say the patient is unable to feel anything during the procedure which only lasts about a half hour. Right now colonoscopy is also the only colon screening test that offers the opportunity to get a biopsy.

If you have a family history of colon cancer you’re advised to get a colonoscopy at 40 years of age or ten years before your family member was first diagnosed with colon cancer.