Gay men and colon cancer

There are several ways to get screened for colorectal cancer:.

Tom of P-Town’s Take : Colorectal Cancer in Gay Men Colorectal cancer, which includes cancers of the colon and rectum, is one of the most common forms of cancer worldwide

Putting it simply: yes to colonoscopies and yes to anal PAPs —both are essential parts of routine care for many gay men. Guidelines can vary depending on your personal and family medical history, but a common recommendation nowadays is to start colorectal cancer screening around age 45 for individuals at average risk 12 12.

Knowing about these cancers and what you can do to help lower your. Always consult with your healthcare provider to figure out the best plan for you. Gender words are used here to talk about anatomy and health risk. Some gay and bisexual men might have a higher risk of anal cancer.

The most common types of cancer among men in the US are prostate, lung, colorectal, and skin cancers. You may even be able to keep them from ever starting. Your doctor may give you a slightly different timetable based on your specific history. Every 3 years if polyps were found.

Younger men in particular are also at risk of testicular cancer. There are things you can do to help lower your risk for many of these cancers. The cancers you should know about are covered here. Cancer Risks for Gay and Bisexual Men Gay and bisexual men are at higher risk for certain kinds of cancer.

Because they can produce false positives or false negatives, any suspicious result should be followed by a colonoscopy. Typically repeated every 5—10 years depending on a variety of factors if you have a normal result. Some people may need to begin earlier if they have a family history of colorectal cancer or certain genetic conditions.

Regular screening is thus a crucial part of proactive health care.

Fiber helps keep things moving smoothly through your GI tract, reducing the time that potential carcinogens spend in contact with the lining of the colon. However, gay and bisexual people with a penis may be more likely to have certain risk factors that increase their chances of developing colorectal cancer, such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

Please use this information in a way. Hey there, P-Towners! Anal PAP smears help detect abnormal cells that could lead to anal cancer, especially pertinent for gay men, men who have sex with men, and anyone with a history of HPV or HIV. Colorectal cancer screening e.

Higher sensitivity than FIT alone detecting many cancers but can also have more false positives lower specificity 3 3. Every 5 years if none were found. A noninvasive, at-home stool test that looks for hidden blood in your stool.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting people of all genders. These are two separate but equally important screenings:. Repeat in 3 years if any polyps were found during your screening colonoscopy. A high-fiber diet has been consistently linked to a decreased risk of colorectal cancer 4 4.

Noninvasive tests like Cologuard and FIT generally have good sensitivity for detecting cancer but may miss some precancerous polyps compared to a colonoscopy. Tom here, diving into an important topic for all men—especially gay men—looking to take charge of their health.

CRC screening can detect precancerous growths polyps and allow doctors to remove them before they turn into something more serious. If you opt for a colonoscopy as your primary screening, Tom of P-Town suggests:. Repeat in 5 years if no polyps were found.

Another at-home test that looks for both blood and abnormal DNA in your stool.