Austin Gastroenterology physicians, Dr. Navdeep Chehl and Dr. Shiv Desai, explain why everyone age 45+ should begin screening for colorectal cancer. The recommended age to begin screening was lowered to age 45 from age 50 because colon cancer has been occurring in younger and younger age groups. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet it is still 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. A colonoscopy can detect and remove colon polyps BEFORE they have time to develop into colon cancer. Colon cancer prevention starts with screening.