Colorectal Cancer Screenings

Why should I be screened?

Regular CRC screening can help save lives.

• Screening can help find and remove lumps called pre-cancerous polyps before they become a problem.
• Screening can catch cancer early, when it is usually easier to treat.

By getting screened regularly, many cases of cancer and deaths can be avoided.

When should I be screened? 

Age 45+
The American Cancer Society (ACS) says people without symptoms and who have an average risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) should start getting checked at age 45. If you are healthy and expect to live more than 10 more years, you should keep getting checked for CRC until you are 75 years old.

Between ages 76 and 85
For those between the ages of 76 and 85, whether to get screened should depend on what you prefer, how healthy you are, how long you might live, and your past screening results. This choice should be made after talking with a doctor.

Age 85
Once you turn 85, you do not need to get screened for CRC anymore.

Below age 45?
It's important to learn about what CRC (Colorectal Cancer) might mean for you. Talk to your family about any history of CRC and ask your doctor what steps you should take next. It's never too early to be informed!

What does screening look like? 

Screening helps check for problems in the colon and rectum. There are two main ways to do this: using tests that look at stool or through visual exams.

Stool-Based Tests:

• Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): This test checks for signs of problems in your stool. You should do this test every year.
• Guaiac-Based Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT): This is another stool test that also looks for blood. You should do this test every year.
• Multi-Targeted Stool DNA Test (mt-sDNA): This test checks your stool for DNA changes. You should do this test every 3 years.

Visual (Structural) Exams of the Colon and Rectum:

• Colonoscopy: This is a special exam that lets doctors see inside your colon. You should have this done every 10 years.
• CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy): This is a special kind of scan that looks at your colon. You should have this done every 5 years.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (FSIG): This exam also lets doctors look inside your colon but doesn't go as far as a colonoscopy. You should have this done every 5 years.

These tests help keep your colon and rectum healthy!