With more than 50,000 deaths from colon cancer in the United States in 2014, colon cancer has become the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Yet, why do only 63% of Americans between the ages of 50 and 75 receive routine colon cancer screening when screening can prevent more than 90% of colon cancers? Experts at the Seattle Cancer Care Consortium (SCCA), which works to reduce deaths from colon cancer, have developed an effective screening tool that simplifies colon cancer prevention and screening guidelines. According to the American Cancer Society guidelines, the SCCA recommends routine periodic colon cancer screenings for men and women beginning at age 50. Screening is designed to increase the chances of early diagnosis of colon and rectal cancer, and early detection is more likely to lead to a cure. Regular screening can also help prevent cancer by finding polyps or lesions and removing them before they become cancerous. According to John Inadomi, MD, SCCA colon cancer gastroenterologist and chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Washington, colon cancer screening has been shown to save lives, and given that it is preventable in up to 90 percent of cases, regular screening is clinically important for people older than 50 years of age. Who needs to be screened? Those who have reached the age of 50: From the perspective of early diagnosis, regular annual checkups and screenings are the best option, and the SCCA recommends colonoscopy every 10 years for men and women starting at age 50. Men and women at high risk: The SCCA recommends that those who consider themselves at high risk for colon cancer should consult with their physician for risk factors and screening recommendations. Colon cancer risk factors include: having a first-degree relative with colon cancer; smoking; inflammatory bowel disease; a diet rich in red or processed meats and low intake of fruits and vegetables; a history of ovarian or endometrial cancer (in women); and a misunderstood colonoscopy Colonoscopy is often misunderstood and is in fact a simple and painless procedure. However, according to the Colon Cancer Consortium (a patient advocacy group), fear of colonoscopy is the main reason why people neglect screening. It is very important for people to realize that colon cancer may not show any signs or symptoms until the disease is advanced. Regular colon cancer screenings can save 30,000 lives each year. So, what are the details of the screening process? The day before the screening: Patients are asked to eat a liquid diet and take medication to cleanse the bowel; During the screening: Patients are given a small amount of sedation before the screening to avoid any discomfort. Removal of polyps or lesions can be done within 30 minutes without additional surgery; after the test: patients may experience mild cramping or bloating, which usually subsides within 24 hours.