Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the world. It’s also the second deadliest form of the disease, behind only lung cancer.

But it doesn’t have to be.

“It’s very common, and it has a very high mortality rate,” said Dr. Michael Beattie, a gastroenterologist with Medical Group of the Carolinas – Gastroenterology – Spartanburg. “With those things in mind, what I typically tell patients is that with the screening tools we have it is very preventable.”

The big hitter in the toolbox is the colonoscopy. During the procedure, doctors can find polyps and remove them before they become cancerous.

“A lot of people think if they have a healthy diet, don’t have any risk factors, a family history or any symptoms, they’re probably OK,” Dr. Beattie said. “The vast majority of the time, people don’t have any symptoms of colon cancer until it’s full-blown cancer. Polyps can take up to a decade to transform from a pre-cancerous growth. Being able to identify it, remove it and stop it from ever occurring is a great tool.”

Because doctors are seeing colon cancer in younger patients, Dr. Beattie recommends that people have their first colonoscopy when they turn 45. If it’s clear and there are no other risk factors, such as a family history of colorectal cancer, then a follow-up wouldn’t be necessary for 10 years.

The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes. Patients must prep to make sure the bowels are clear the day before the procedure.

“I always tell patients the hardest part for them is doing the prep,” Dr. Beattie said. “There’s no getting around that. The idea of it is overwhelming, but once it’s done, like a lot of things in life, they see it wasn’t as bad as they anticipated it to be.”

While a colonoscopy is the gold standard, Dr. Beattie recognizes there are people who don’t want to undergo the procedure unless it is absolutely necessary. There are options available, he said.

A FIT test looks for blood in the stool, which could indicate colon cancer. A FIT test should be performed every year.

Cologuard also is a stool-based test. In addition to looking for blood in the stool, it also searches for DNA markers that increase the ability to find polyps. Cologuard tests should be performed every three years.

If these tests produce a positive result, the next step is a colonoscopy.

“These tests are a reasonable alternative for people who don’t want a colonoscopy unless they absolutely need one,” Dr. Beattie said. “Typically, I would recommend a colonoscopy first for the simple fact that you can both find and remove a polyp that is going to grow into cancer all at the same time. It is a screening and a treatment at the same time.”

While genetics plays a large role in determining whether a person will develop colorectal cancer, Dr. Beattie says there are steps individuals can take to mitigate their risk. He says limiting alcohol, avoiding tobacco and eliminating highly processed foods and foods high in nitrates can reduce risk.

There’s also research that suggests cooking food in seed oils could be a contributing factor, he said.

“A lot of it is out of your control,” Dr. Beattie said. “But limiting those things and getting plenty of fruits and vegetables can be helpful.”

Whether considering a colonoscopy, FIT test or Cologuard, talk with your primary care provider about which option would be best for you.