Woman, 40, Has Instinct for Early Colonoscopy—Left Shocked at What It Uncovers
Summary
A 40-year-old woman in Utah chose to have a colonoscopy before the usual recommended age of 45 due to her family history of colon cancer. The test found precancerous polyps, which she said might have developed into cancer if left untreated.Key Facts
- Janae Pettit, age 40, had a colonoscopy earlier than usual because of her family's cancer history.
- Her uncle died of colon cancer in his early 50s, and her brother had colon tumors found at 41.
- Colonoscopies check the inside of the large intestine and can find signs of cancer early.
- Normally, people start colonoscopies at age 45, but family history can mean earlier screening is needed.
- Two polyps were found and removed from Pettit's colon; one was a tubular adenoma, a type that can turn into cancer.
- About 10% of tubular adenomas may eventually become cancerous.
- Pettit shared her experience to encourage others not to delay screening, saying early detection is easier than treating cancer later.
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in U.S. men and women, but rates are dropping due to screenings like colonoscopies.
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