Colorectal Cancer Screening

Should I have a screening test for colon cancer?

Talk to your doctor.  If you are over 45 and at average risk, you should have colon cancer screening. Options for screening include

1. Colonoscopy
2. CTcolonography which is also called virtual colonoscopy
3. Stool testing

For people at higher risk, screening for colon cancer might be needed at a younger age and more often.

Some examples of things that can increase your risk for developing colon cancer are

1. You have family members with colon cancer
2. You have a condition such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or colon polyps
3. You or your family members carry a gene that increases your risk

Talk to you doctor to find out your risk for developing colon cancer, when you should start screening, and which screening test is right for you.