If you feel your concerns are being ignored by your current physician, don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion and continue to request screening. You are your own best advocate and should feel empowered to take control of your health.
Average-risk individuals should begin screening at age 45 and continue screening based on their doctor’s recommendation. Patients with symptoms or other high-risk factors require earlier evaluation. Screening is a lifelong habit.
Age is not a factor
Blood in your stool is not normal, but it doesn’t mean you have colorectal cancer. If you are experiencing any signs and symptoms, no matter your age, talk to your doctor about scheduling a colonoscopy.
Signs and Symptoms
Polyps are tissue growths found on the inner lining of the colon or rectum, similar to a mole found on the skin. Polyps are pre-cancerous growths that are harmless, but over time, polyps can grow into cancer, so removal of a polyp can prevent the development of colorectal cancer. This is why screening is so important. As many as 15 to 40% of adults may have polyps.
The truth is everyone’s at risk for colorectal cancer, but we typically divide people into two groups, those who are average risk and those who are high risk
For screening, people are considered to be at average risk if they:
For those at high risk, there tends to be at least one of three variables:
Visual-based tests observe the inside of the colon through either a scope inserted in the rectum or an X-ray of the full colon. A colon prep is required for each of these screening options.
The doctor uses a scope to examine the entire length of your colon to find polyps or cancer. Your doctor will talk with you about sedation options to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. If polyps are found, they are removed during the procedure and sent to a lab for further examination. Note: most polyps are benign.
Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening as it has the highest rates in detection of polyps and cancers. Further, it allows for identification and removal of polyps during the procedure.
Prep Requirements: Full Bowel Prep
Frequency: Every 10 years if results are normal
The doctor uses a scope to examine the rectum and part of the colon. If polyps or cancer are found, a colonoscopy is generally recommended so the physician can examine the entire colon for signs of disease. The procedure lasts 10-20 minutes.
Prep Requirements: Enema
Frequency: Every 5 years if results are normal
A special x-ray is used to examine the colon for polyps or cancer. No sedation is required. Positive findings require a follow-up colonoscopy.
Prep Requirements: Full bowel prep
Frequency: Every 5 years if results are normal
At-home tests are convenient and require no prep or time off of work. Positive results with an at-home screening test require a follow-up colonoscopy.
Test for hidden blood in your stool. These tests require you to take a small swab of your stool and mail it in for testing at a lab. This test is most commonly used to screen for colorectal cancer, but it can find gastrointestinal bleeding caused by other conditions.
Prep Requirements: None
Frequency: Annually
These tests require a prescription, are mailed to your home, and require you to mail in both a swab and a sample of your stool for further testing. These tests are two part and look for blood in your stool and genetic markers for pre-cancerous polyps and colorectal cancer.
Prep Requirements: None
Frequency: Every 3 years
* Please talk to your provider about availability in your area.
Blood-based screening requires a blood draw and, when positive, a follow-up colonoscopy.
The doctor runs a blood test that detects signals for colon cancer from DNA shed into the blood. Results are generally 2 weeks.
Prep Requirements: None
Frequency: Every 3 years
