Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States. It is increasingly being diagnosed in people under age 50, prompting experts to revise guidelines to recommend screening starting at age 45. The good news is that colorectal cancer is a preventable disease. Screening for colorectal cancer can help doctors find colon and rectal cancers earlier when they are easiest to treat and may even be curable. There are several tests available for colorectal cancer screening. At NewYork-Presbyterian, we make getting colorectal cancer screening easy, with preparations and processes that are convenient and streamlined. We provide colonoscopies at a variety of locations in the New York metropolitan area. Stool-based tests for screening are also available.
Find colorectal cancer early, when it is most curable
Are you at risk for colorectal cancer?
The following factors have been linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer:
- Personal history of colon polyps
- Family history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps
- Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- Personal or family history of a genetic cancer syndrome, such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
The American Cancer Society recommends that everyone start colorectal cancer screening at age 45. If you have a family history of colon cancer or rectal cancer, it is recommended you begin screening for colorectal cancer at age 40 or 10 years before the age at which your family member was diagnosed, whichever comes first. Speak with your doctor about your personal level of risk and when it is best to begin colorectal cancer screening. Check with your insurance company about your coverage.
Screening tests for colorectal cancer
Colonoscopy uses a flexible, lighted tube to look at the inside of your colon. This procedure is done with sedation, so there is no discomfort during the procedure. The doctor can remove potentially precancerous colon polyps and collect tissue samples (biopsy) for closer examination. Learn more about what to expect during a colonoscopy.
What to expect
Only colonoscopy allows for the detection and removal of potentially precancerous polyps—before they can grow into cancer—and the identification of early cancers during a single examination of the entire colon. Medical professionals recommend colonoscopy once every 10 years (more frequently in people who had an abnormal test and those at increased risk of colorectal cancer) NewYork-Presbyterian has simplified the process for getting a colonoscopy. Many people can schedule a colonoscopy directly, without having a pre-procedure doctor visit. You will need to complete a bowel preparation to clean all of the stool out of your colon prior to the procedure. The test requires sedation and the need to be escorted home.
Stool-based tests are non-invasive colorectal cancer screening tests that check your stool for microscopic traces of blood or abnormal DNA markers that are associated with colorectal cancer. There are two stool-based tests: fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which looks for blood in the stool, and Cologuard, which looks for blood and abnormal DNA markers in the stool.
Frequency
Negative or normal stool-based tests need to be repeated every 1-3 years.
Pro
These tests can be done at home and do not require a bowel preparation or sedation. They can help to detect colorectal cancer at an early stage, when it is easier to treat and potentially cure.
Con
These tests cannot prevent colorectal cancer, since polyps are not removed. If a stool-based screening test is positive, you will need to have a colonoscopy for further evaluation.
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