If you are at average risk, colorectal cancer screening should start at age 45.
If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, start screening at age 40 or the age that is 10 years younger than the earliest member of your family was diagnosed with colorectal cancer or polyps, whichever is earlier.
If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), or a history of abdominal radiation, talk to your health care provider about when you should start screening for colorectal cancer.
If you think you might be at high risk for colorectal cancer, talk to your health care provider early, before age 45, to make a screening plan that’s right for you.