(BlackDoctor.org) — Cancer of the colon or rectum is the third most common type of cancer in African American men and the second most common type in African American women. The American College of Gastroenterologists has issued new guidelines for African Americans regarding screening for colon cancer. Noting that African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer at a younger age, they are suggesting that African Americans begin getting colonoscopies at age 45 – 5 years earlier than whites. Colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among African Americans. The College hopes that earlier screening could detect colon problems at a more treatable stage.