Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer (sometimes called colon cancer) usually develops from abnormal growths, known as polyps, in the colon or rectum. Getting screened for colorectal cancer regularly increases the chance of finding polyps and having them removed before they turn into cancer. Polyps are common and are usually harmless. However, because most colorectal cancer begins as a polyp, removing polyps early is a good way to prevent cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early when it is easier to treat.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendation

Current guidelines* recommend that people aged 45 and older get screened for colorectal cancer.

Adults younger than age 45 should talk to their health care provider about their risk for colorectal cancer and when to start screening. If you or someone in your family has had colorectal cancer or certain risk factors, you may need to start testing at an earlier age compared to other adults without such risk factors.

Talk to your health care provider about when you should start getting tested.

* These are United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines. Many organizations and professional societies have developed guidelines for colorectal cancer screening. All recommend that individuals should talk with their doctor about their own risk for colorectal cancer and decide, with a health care provider, what age to start and how often to get screened for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests

There are several different tests that screen for colorectal cancer, including stool-based tests that can be done in the comfort of your home. The following are some of the tests recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

  • High-Sensitivity Fecal Occult Blood Test (hsFOBT) or Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
    The hsFOBT and FIT are stool tests done at home with a test kit you get from your health care provider. For this test, you collect a sample of your bowel movement and return the test to your health care provider or a lab where they will check your stool sample for blood. This test should be done once a year. If blood is found in the stool test, you will need to get a colonoscopy.
  • FIT-DNA test (also called stool DNA test)
    The FIT-DNA is a stool test done at home. The test combines the FIT (described above) with a test that looks for changed DNA in the stool. For this test, you collect an entire bowel movement and send it to a lab, where it is checked for cancer cells. It is done once every three years. If blood is found in the test, you will need to get a colonoscopy.
  • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
    Flexible sigmoidoscopy allows your health care provider to check the rectum and lower part of the colon for polyps and cancer using a thin, flexible, lighted tube. This test should be done once every 5 years, or every 10 years with a FIT every year. This test may be done more often if recommended by your health care provider.
  • Colonoscopy
    Colonoscopy is like the flexible sigmoidoscopy except the health care provider uses a longer, thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the entire colon and rectum. During the test, the health care provider can find and remove most polyps and some cancers. This test should be done once every 10 years, or more often if recommended by your health care provider.

Talk to your health care provider about your screening options to find the best test for you. For more information about these and other cancer screening tests, visit the CDC website.

Getting Screened

If you don't have insurance, you may be able to get a free colorectal cancer screening and additional tests as needed through the New York State Cancer Services Program (CSP). If cancer is found, treatment may be covered for those with no health insurance and who qualify.

  • Call 1-866-442-CANCER (2262) to find a CSP near you. The call is free, and operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hablamos español. We also have translation services for other languages. You can also visit our Community Programs List to find your local CSP by county or borough and call directly.
  • If you do not live in New York State, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find a low and/or no cost screening program in your state.

If you do have health insurance, colorectal cancer screening is covered at no cost to the patient by nearly all health plans, including those that participate in the New York State of Health and New York's Medicaid program. Health plan coverage may vary. Check with your insurance plan to find out what benefits are covered for colorectal cancer screening.