Know When You Should Be Screened, Urges Olympus and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance

Those with a family cancer history are at a higher risk and should consider preventive screenings

, /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus Corporation of the Americas urges people to use Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March to spark conversations with family members about knowing and sharing family health history given a global increase in early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC).¹

Olympus and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (CCA) want to remind people that the recommended screening age for those at average risk for CRC is now 45 years old,² but those with a family history of CRC should get screened even sooner.

Neil Kaufman sustained a serious shoulder injury about 15 years ago that required ongoing treatment and anti-inflammatory medications. Complications from the anti-inflammatories prompted a trip to the emergency room, where he was seen by a gastroenterologist. Neil's grandfather had been diagnosed at age 45 with CRC. With his family health history in mind, Neil, who was 37 years old at the time, decided to ask for a colonoscopy.

"My GI woke me up in the recovery room and said, 'Today is your lucky day,'" he said.

The colonoscopy revealed 19 polyps, including one that the doctor estimated could have turned cancerous well before Neil reached the recommended screening age. His first call following the procedure was to his three older siblings, none of whom had been screened.

They each had polyps removed and are now being screened regularly. Polyps are abnormal growths that, over time, may develop into cancer.³ Neil has since undergone regular screenings with nearly 40 polyps removed.

"I was cursing that shoulder injury for so many years," the now 50-year-old said. "When I look back, I can see that injury may have saved my life."

Early on-set colorectal cancer on the rise

As many as 1 in 3 people diagnosed with CRC have a family history of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. People with a parent, sibling or child – known as a first-degree relative – diagnosed with CRC are at an increased risk, a risk that is higher if the relative was diagnosed before the age of 50.⁴

That's a fact that resonates with Joe Faratzis, who was diagnosed at age 29 with Stage IV rectal cancer. He talked with his physician about a colonoscopy after experiencing mild abdominal pain, blood in his stool and frequent trips to the bathroom.

Following his diagnosis about six years ago, Joe underwent extensive treatments that included chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Now 34 years old and a voice for advocacy, Joe is the father of a baby girl and mindful that family history is a conversation he'll need to have one day despite no previous family history of CRC.

"No matter how uncomfortable the conversations may be, it's nothing compared to the anxiety of a cancer diagnosis and the physical toll of treatment," Joe said. "It's so important to take control of your own health and that starts with knowing your family history and risks. It also means listening when your body is telling you something is off and being your own best advocate."

Joe will take part in the live panel discussion "Colorectal Cancer Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment: Understanding Self-Advocacy" scheduled for 2-3 p.m. on March 11 at the Olympus Corporation of the Americas corporate headquarters in Center Valley, Pa.⁵ The discussion will focus on understanding the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer and navigating self-advocacy. The event will be open to the public and streamed on YouTube and LinkedIn.

Impact of prevention and screening

A study by the American Cancer Society looking at early-onset CRC rates worldwide found that the U.S. is among 14 countries in which incidence rates are increasing in young adults while stabilizing in those ages 50 and older.¹  CRC incidence rates and death rates among older adults have dropped over the last few decades, while incidence rates for those under the age of 50 have increased by 2.4% annually.⁶

Olympus and CCA encourage people to familiarize themselves with screening guidelines and talk to their doctor about the screening options that are best for them. A recently published study estimated that nearly 6 million deaths from five major cancer types were averted over a 45-year period thanks to prevention, screening and treatment advances. Specifically, researchers found that 740,000 of the estimated 940,000 CRC deaths averted were due to screening and removal of precancerous polyps.⁷

"The long-term data around colorectal cancer is compelling: screening and polyp removal were responsible for nearly 80% of averted deaths. The data in this study help emphasize the value of screening programs in decreasing the risk of cancer," said Dr. John de Csepel, Chief Medical Officer, Olympus Corp.  "The positive, tangible impact from preventive screenings is particularly significant at a time when we're seeing an increase in early onset colorectal cancer coupled with an increase in deaths from the disease in men and women under the age of 50.  Overall, it's important to also humanize the facts and figures and realize that a simple screening colonoscopy can save a life whether it's yours, a friend's or a family member's. The key is awareness and action."

Neil Kaufman and Joe Faratzis' statements are their own and are based on their experiences.  You should speak to your doctor regarding your care as your doctor is your best source for information.

About Olympus
At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states.

For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit medical.olympusamerica.com.

Olympus Corporation of the Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs more than 4,500 employees throughout locations in North and South America. For more information, visit olympusamerica.com.

¹ Sung, H; et al, "Colorectal cancer incidence trends in younger versus older adults: an analysis of population-based cancer registry data." The Lancet Oncology, Volume 26, Issue 1, 51 – 63, pub. January 2025
² U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, "Final Recommendation Statement, Colorectal Cancer: Screening." May 18, 2021.
³ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Basic Information About Colorectal Cancer." Rev. June 2024
⁴ American Cancer Society, "Colorectal Cancer Risks" Rev. January 2024
⁵ Joe Faratzis is compensated for his travel.
⁶ American Cancer Society, "Key Statistics for Colorectal Cancer" Rev. January 2025
⁷ Goddard K., et al, "Estimation of cancer deaths averted from prevention, screening, and treatment efforts, 1975-2020" JAMA Oncol 2024; DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.5381.

SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas