BayCare surgeon Elizabeth Myers and patient Rev. Christian Wood discussed on Mar. 9 the importance of early colorectal cancer screening, highlighting recent changes in national guidelines and sharing a personal story that underscores the issue.
The topic is significant as colorectal cancer has become a leading cause of cancer death among younger adults, prompting calls for earlier screenings to improve outcomes.
Rev. Wood, who leads St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tampa’s Hyde Park, decided to have a colonoscopy at age 45 during his annual physical. The procedure revealed eight polyps, one of which was cancerous. After surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Jan. 13, he is now undergoing chemotherapy at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.
“People should get tested as soon as they can,” Rev. Wood said. “I would rather have 150 colonoscopies than have one round of chemotherapy. And I think they need to back up (the age for) testing. I think if I had had a colonoscopy at 40, I don’t think I would have had cancer.” Dr. Myers responded, “Probably not… At some time, we probably should lower the screening age to 40. We know those guidelines should continue to drop.” Myers was Wood’s surgeon during his treatment.
The American Cancer Society lowered its recommended starting age for colorectal screenings from 50 to 45 in 2018; the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force adopted this change in 2021. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under age 50 and second only to breast cancer in women under 50.
The discussion between Wood and Myers reflects ongoing concerns about rising rates of colorectal cancer among younger adults and may influence future updates to screening recommendations.
