Screening

Colorectal Cancer

Regular Screening Tests Saves Lives

If you are 50 or older, or have a higher than average risk of getting colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about getting a screening test for colorectal cancer. Regular screening tests are used to look for abnormalities or disease.

Abnormal growths known as precancerous polyps develop in the colon or rectum. In most cases, regular screening tests can detect abnormalities or polyps before they have a chance to turn into cancer. There are several different screening tests that can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer. Each can be used alone or in combination with each other.

Fecal Occult Blood Test or Stool Test*

In this case, occult means “hidden.” This test, also known as FOBT, looks for blood in stool samples even if you do not to see any blood. There could be old blood in your stool, which may make your stool dark.

A test kit will be given or mailed to you from your doctor or health care provider. At home, you put a small piece of stool on a test card. This is repeated for three bowel movements in a row. The test card is then returned to your doctor or lab, as instructed.

How often: Every year, or according to your doctor.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy*

The doctor inserts a short, thin, flexible, lighted tube into the rectum. This allows the doctor to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and lower third of the colon.

How often: Every five years, or according to your doctor.

*Your doctor or health care provider may ask you to have both the Fecal Occult Blood Test and Flexible Sigmoidoscopy test. Some experts believe the combination of tests may increase the chance of finding polyps or detecting early cancer.

Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE)

This test is an x-ray of your colon. An enema with liquid called barium is given. The barium helps the doctor to see the outline of your colon on the x-ray to check for polyps or other abnormalities.

Colonoscopy

This test is similar to a flexible sigmoidoscopy, except the doctor uses a longer, thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and entire colon. During the test, the doctor can find and remove most polyps and some cancers.

How often: Every 10 years, or according to your doctor.

Colonoscopy may be used as a follow-up test if anything unusual is found during one of the other screening tests.

If you’re 50 or older, or younger if you’re at high risk, talk with your doctor about getting regular screening tests for colorectal cancer. It may save your life.