DENVER -- Detecting colon cancer through a simple blood test could become a reality sooner than you think. It's just one development in the effort to fight colon cancer, but the easiest effort is to get screened via a colonoscopy.

Saundra Sweeney had no choice but to get used to the seat at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. She's had four chemotherapy treatments.

"I'm still in that reflection time when sometimes you're like, 'I can't believe I'm going through this,'" Sweeney said.

By the time doctors found the cancer it had spread to her liver.

"So if I wouldn't probe about checking the blood in the stool, doc was like, 'Well, let's find out, ' and that lead to the colonoscopy."

She initially went in to see her doctor about an asthma attack and then asked about why she would be having blood in her stool.

That led to the colonoscopy, the cancer detection, surgery and now recovery.

"This is a preventable disease that kills more than 50,000 Americans every year. Most cases can be prevented if everyone got screened," said Dr. Wells Messersmith with the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

While there are screening options now, including a virtual colonoscopy, Messersmith said in the future it could be as simple as a blood test "where you can go in at age 30 or 40 and get a blood test and look for several different cancers all at once."

Researchers are also working on developing a colon cancer prevention drug.

"For instance, patients who are high risk for polyps (could take this) to try to prevent cancer from ever developing," sid Messersmith.

New advancements are giving hope to people like Sweeney.

"The biggest thing is listen to your body, be your own advocate," she said.

The American Cancer Society recommends you get screened starting at the age of 50. If you have a history of colon cancer in the family you should get screened even sooner.

Colon Cancer Is Second Leading Cause Of Cancer Deaths

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. During the month of March, all men and women over the age of 50 are encouraged to see their doctor for a routine colon screening.

Colon cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Americans, despite the fact that it is over 90 percent curable if found early enough.

The US Preventative Task Force recommends that everyone get an initial screening for colo-rectal cancer at age 50 and return for screening every 5 years or less. But only about 36 percent of eligible people ever get screened at all.

A new, non-invasive alternative to the conventional colonoscopy hopes to attract unscreened population. The Virtual Colonoscopy requires no sedation, takes only 30 to 45 minutes, and can see both inside and outside of the colon. Screenings for colorectal cancer with virtual colonoscopy are covered by most major insurance companies.

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about the virtual colonoscopy or colon scan
• Go to CDC.gov for more information about colon health and colon cancer.