Colorectal Cancer Screenings at Ballad Health

Overview

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon or rectum, but the good news is that it can often be prevented or detected early through screening.

Screening helps find colorectal cancer before symptoms develop, making it easier to treat and increasing your chances of a full recovery.

Colorectal cancer risk factors

If you have a family history of adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer, talk with your doctor about the possible need to start screening before age 45. If you've had adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer, it’s important to tell your close relatives so that they can pass along that information to their doctors and start screening at the right age.

Screening is the process of looking for cancer in people who have no symptoms. Several tests can be used to screen for colorectal cancer. The most important thing is to get screened, no matter which test you choose.

Types of testing

These tests check the stool (feces) for signs of cancer. These tests are less invasive and easier to have done, but they need to be done more often. This test should be done every 3 years and can be done in the privacy of your own home. It tests a full stool sample. There are no drug or dietary restrictions before taking the test.

Pros & cons of different tests

Test

Benefits

Limits

Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)

  • No direct risk to the colon
  • No bowel prep
  • No pre-test diet or medication changes needed
  • Sampling done at home
  • Fairly inexpensive
  • Can miss many polyps and some cancers
  • Can have false-positive test results
  • Needs to be done every year
  • Colonoscopy will be needed if abnormal

Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT)

  • No direct risk to the colon
  • No bowel prep
  • Sampling done at home
  • Inexpensive
  • Can miss many polyps and some cancers
  • Can have false-positive test results
  • Pre-test diet changes (and possibly medication changes) are needed
  • Needs to be done every year
  • Colonoscopy will be needed if abnormal

Stool DNA test

  • No direct risk to the colon
  • No bowel prep
  • No pre-test diet or medication changes needed
  • Sampling done at home
  • Can miss many polyps and some cancers
  • Can have false-positive test results
  • Should be done every 3 years
  • Colonoscopy will be needed if an abnormal result is found
  • Still fairly new – may have insurance coverage issues

Colonoscopy

  • Can usually look at the entire colon
  • Can biopsy and remove polyps
  • Done every 10 years
  • Can help find some other diseases
  • Can miss small polyps
  • Full bowel prep needed
  • Costs more on a one-time basis than other forms of testing
  • Sedation is usually needed, in which case you will need someone to drive you home
  • You may miss a day of work
  • Small risk of bleeding, bowel tears, or infection

CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy)

  • Fairly quick and safe
  • Can usually see the entire colon
  • Done every 5 years
  • No sedation needed
  • Can miss small polyps
  • Full bowel prep needed
  • Some false-positive test results
  • Exposure to a small amount of radiation
  • Can’t remove polyps during testing
  • Colonoscopy will be needed if abnormal
  • Still fairly new – may have insurance coverage issues

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

  • Fairly quick and safe
  • Usually doesn’t require full bowel prep
  • Sedation usually not used
  • Does not require a specialist
  • Done every 5 years
  • Not widely used as a screening test
  • Looks at only about a third of the colon
  • Can miss small polyps
  • Can’t remove all polyps
  • May be some discomfort
  • Very small risk of bleeding, infection, or bowel tear
  • Colonoscopy will be needed if abnormal

Find a provider

Choosing your primary care provider is the first step towards investing in your health future. Establishing this relationship and continuum of care unlocks the door to a healthier, vibrant life.

If you’re interested in preventive screenings or feel you’re at high risk, your doctor will help guide you along the journey.

Find a Provider

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