Possibility of colorectal cancer in younger people. which persons should get colonoscopy <50 years?

Family history: People with family history of colon cancer at a young age should consider getting colonscopy at a younger age. A number of genetic anomalies predispose to cancer at a younger age and if there is family history genetic testing may be used to supplement colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy <50 y o: There are several nationally-recognized colonoscopy screening guidelines. Most agree the following patients under 50 year old should undergo colonoscopy:1) afro-american males at age 45; 2) familial syndromes that predispose to early colon ca (fap, lynch syndromes, etc.); 3) inflammatory bowel of longstanding; 4) history of colon ca or adenomatous polyps at young age; 5) other select settings.

Those with a family : History need to be screened earlier. 10 years before the age of diagnosis of a first degree relative (father, mother, sister, brother, son, daughter) with colon cancer is when screening should begin. Genetic syndromes such as lynch syndrome, familal polyposis and diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease require earlier screening. Bleeding or change in bowel habits require a scope at any age.