Colorectal Cancer Screening
What is colorectal cancer screening?
Screening is looking for cancer before a person has any symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread.
Who should be screened?
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Average Risk: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults aged 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer.
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Increased Risk: If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease, you may have an increased risk. Talk to your doctor about starting screening earlier or being screened more frequently.
What screening should I get?
There are several highly effective screening tests available. Talk to your doctor about which option is the right fit for your lifestyle and health history.
| Screening Method | How It Works | How Often? |
| FIT Test (Fecal Immunochemical) | Uses antibodies to detect hidden blood in a small stool sample. Kit provided by your doctor to do at home. | Every year |
| gFOBT Test (Guaiac-based) | Uses a chemical reaction to detect blood in a small stool sample collected at home. | Every year |
| Stool DNA / RNA Tests (e.g., Cologuard, ColoSense) | Looks for abnormal DNA or RNA sections from cancer or polyp cells. Requires collecting an entire bowel movement at home. | Every 3 years |
| Flexible Sigmoidoscopy | A doctor uses a short, thin, flexible tube to check the rectum and lower third of the colon. | Every 5 years (or every 10 years if combined with a yearly FIT) |
| Colonoscopy | A doctor uses a longer, thin, flexible tube to check the rectum and the entire colon. The doctor can find and remove most polyps during the procedure. | Every 10 years |
A colonoscopy is also used as the mandatory follow-up test if any of the other stool or sigmoidoscopy screening tests come back with an unusual or positive result.
Insurance and Medicare coverage
Most health insurance plans and Medicare cover colorectal cancer screenings. However, if a preliminary screening test (like a stool test) finds something abnormal, you will need a follow-up colonoscopy. These follow-up tests may involve out-of-pocket costs like a co-pay or deductible. Always check with your insurance provider beforehand to understand your specific benefits.