New guidelines suggest that African-Americans need an earlier visit to the doctor to screen for colon cancer.
The American College of Gastroenterology is now recommending that doctors screen African-American patients for colorectal cancer beginning at age 45. That is five years earlier than the recommended age for screening white patients.
Researchers said the earlier screenings are needed because African-Americans have a higher incidence of colorectal cancers and polyps. They also have lower colon cancer survival rates.
