Colorectal Cancer Screening
Regular cancer screening can save lives. Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in both men and women. Most colorectal cancers begin as colon polyps — small growths on the inside of the colon or rectum. Regular screening tests can detect and remove these polyps before they become cancerous.
Most adults should start colon cancer screening at age 45 and continue through age 75. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease or other risk factors, you may need to start screening earlier or more often.
Colorectal Cancer Screening Options
There are many types of tests that screen for colon cancer. These tests can find cancer before symptoms appear and when treatment is more likely to be successful. While all screening tests can detect signs of colorectal cancer, a colonoscopy is the only screening option that can find and remove precancerous polyps during the same procedure.
Talk to your doctor about which screening option is right for you based on your age, risk factors and family history.
Cologuard At-Home Kit
Cologuard is an at-home stool DNA test designed for people at average risk for colorectal cancer. The screening checks stool samples for hidden blood and abnormal DNA that could indicate the presence of colorectal cancer or polyps.
Many people choose Cologuard because it’s completed at home and doesn’t require bowel preparation or sedation. For people with an average colorectal cancer risk, Cologuard is repeated every three years.
Should I Be Worried About a Positive Cologuard Test?
A positive result doesn’t mean cancer is present, but it does require follow-up testing with a colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. During the procedure, a doctor uses a long, flexible tube with a tiny camera to look inside the colon and rectum. If precancerous polyps are found, doctors can often remove them during the same procedure. Colonoscopy requires bowel preparation the day before the procedure and sedation on the day of the exam.
Colonoscopy is the only screening test that can both detect and remove precancerous polyps. It’s also the primary test used to diagnose colorectal cancer and investigate concerning symptoms, such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in the stool
- Changes in bowel habits
- Unexplained weight loss
For people with an average risk, a regular screening colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years. For people at higher risk, screening intervals vary and may be as frequent as every three to five years, depending on personal and family history. Factors that may put you at a higher risk include:
- Certain genetic syndromes
- Family history of colon cancer or colon polyps
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps
FIT and Fecal Occult Blood Tests
A FIT test or fecal occult blood test (FOBT) checks for hidden blood in the stool, which can be a sign of colorectal cancer, polyps or another digestive condition.
If the fecal blood test comes back positive, a follow-up colonoscopy is necessary to identify the source or diagnose a disease.
These screening tests are completed at home for patients with an average risk of colon cancer and are usually repeated every year.
Colonoscopy vs. Cologuard vs. FIT
| Feature | Colonoscopy | Cologuard At-Home Kit | Fecal Blood Test (FIT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screens for Colorectal Cancer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Confirms a Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer | Yes | No | No |
| Can Find and Remove Cancerous Polyps | Yes | No | No |
| At-Home Option | No | Yes | Yes |
| Test Frequency | Every 10 years | Every three years | Every year |
| Best for patient risk level | Average to high risk | Average risk | Average risk |
Find a Colorectal Screening Near You
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States and cases are rising in younger adults. Regular colon cancer screenings can detect cancer early and may even prevent the disease.
The best colorectal cancer screening test is the one you complete. Whether you choose a colonoscopy, Cologuard or a FIT test, getting screened can help detect cancer early and, in some cases, prevent it altogether.
Make sure to contact your insurance provider to confirm your coverage details before scheduling a screening.
Talk to your primary care doctor about which colon cancer screening option is right for you.