Screening
"7 out of 10 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer had no signs or symptoms."
Why get screened?
- Screening can save lives
- Colorectal cancer is often preventable and if detected early can be treated
When to get screened?
- Men and women age 45 or older
- Younger than 45 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
Where & how to get screened?
- You may be eligible for a low cost or no cost screening. IGS Program Screening Locations
- Talk to your doctor for more information about the many types of screenings
- Colorectal cancer screening is recommended starting at age 45. Some health insurance plans may not cover screening before age 50 until January 2023 so check with your plan if you are under age 50.
Tests that find polyps and cancer:
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy - recommended every 5 years, or
- Colonoscopy - recommended every 10 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), recommended every three years **
* If the test is positive, a colonoscopy should be done.
Some people should be screened using a different screening schedule because of their personal history or family history of polyps or colorectal cancer. Talk to your doctor about your personal or family history and find out what colorectal cancer screening test is best for you. (American Cancer Society)