Screening

• Screening can save lives
• Colorectal cancer is often preventable and if detected early can be treated

• Men and women age 50 or older
• Younger than 50 with a personal or family history of polyp(s) or colorectal cancer
• If you have signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer; have Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, or Inflammatory Bowel Disease; or have changes in your stool habits

• You may be eligible for a FREE screening. Click here to find out.
• Talk to your doctor for more information about the many types of screenings:

Tests that find polyps and cancer:

• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy - recommended every 5 years, or
• Colonoscopy - recommended every 10 years, or
• Double Contrast Barium Enema- recommended every 5 years, or
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) recommended every 5 years*

Tests that primarily find cancer:

• Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), recommended yearly **
• Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT), recommended yearly **
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain **

* If the test is positive, a colonoscopy should be done.

**The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done be the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.

The tests that are designed to find both early cancer and polyps are preferred if these tests are available to you and you are willing to have one of these more invasive tests. Talk to your doctor about which test is best for you. Some people should be screened using a different schedule because of their personal history or family history of polyps or colorectal cancer. Talk to your doctor about your history and what colorectal cancer screening schedule is best for you. (American Cancer Society)