## Why Screening Matters Even Without Symptoms
One of the most important facts about colorectal cancer is that you do not have to experience warning signs before you should think about screening.
Polyps and colorectal cancer may cause no symptoms, particularly early in the disease. Screening is therefore different from diagnostic testing: screening looks for disease in people who may feel perfectly healthy, while diagnostic testing investigates symptoms or abnormal findings. Centers for Disease Control+1
In the United States, the CDC says that most adults should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. Adults ages 45 to 75 are recommended to undergo regular screening, while decisions about screening from ages 76 to 85 should be individualized. People with increased risk may need screening earlier or more frequently. Centers for Disease Control+1
Risk can be higher for people with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or certain inherited genetic syndromes.
