A PANEL of U.S. national experts Tuesday advised earlier screenings for colorectal cancer, (colon cancer) starting at age 45 instead of 50.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says people aged 45 to 75 should undergo screenings as a preventative measure, with those aged 50 to 75 strongly recommended to get screened.

For adults over 75, the decision should be made on a case-by-case basis, per the panel.

The guidance goes for all adults, including those who are symptom-free with no family or personal history of the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says this cancer is common among men and women. “Not counting some kinds of skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States,” the agency says.

Sometimes abnormal growths, called polyps, form and become cancerous over time. Screening can help find these polyps early and remove them before cancer sets in.

“Unfortunately, not enough people receive this effective preventive service that has been proven to save lives,” Dr. Alex Krist, chair of the task force, said in a release. (SD-Agencies)