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Know your options for colorectal cancer screening

Get screened and take control of your health

Why get a screening? Getting screened regularly is one of the best ways to prevent colorectal cancer. It can help find cancer even with no symptoms. And getting a colonoscopy isn’t the only test available. There are some you can do in the privacy of your own home. If you have no family history of colorectal cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends that you get screened starting at 45 years old. Some ethnicities are more at risk than others, so it is important to talk to your doctor about screenings.

Here are the most common screening types for colorectal health. Talk to your doctor today to decide which test is best for you:

1.       FIT stool test

When and how often should this screening take place? Every year

  • Detects hidden blood in the stool
  • Done at home
  • Risk-free method
  • No prep required
  • If the test is positive, colonoscopy is recommended

2.     Stool DNA, such as Cologuard®

When and how often should this screening take place? Every three years

  • Detects cancer and precancerous cells
  • Done at home
  • No prep required
  • Can occasionally return false positive or false negative results
  • If test is positive, colonoscopy is recommended

3.     Flexible sigmoidoscopy

When and how often should this screening take place? Every five years

  • Doctor looks for and removes polyps in the rectum and lower colon*
  • Special diet and bowel prep required
  • Quick, safe and does not require sedation
  • Can miss small polyps

4.     Colonoscopy

When and how often should this screening take place? Every 10 years

  • Doctor looks for and removes polyps in the rectum and entire colon*
  • Special diet and bowel prep required
  • Sedation is likely, so you’ll need to make arrangements to help you get home
  • Best test for preventing colorectal cancer

Further reading and information

Stay up to date with your breast cancer screening

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This message is for informational purposes only, is not medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for proper medical care provided by a physician. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change.

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*If polyps are found and removed, charges may apply.

The American Cancer Society does not endorse any particular product or service.

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