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Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States for women and men. The good news is that, according to the American Cancer Society, the death rate for colorectal cancer has been steadily declining. This is largely due to improved screening methods for early detection. Dr. Noah Kersey explains it like this: “Our goal with screening is to catch and treat cancers before they cause symptoms because it's usually much more treatable when caught early.”
That’s why the US Multisociety Task Force on Colorectal Cancer recommends starting regular colorectal cancer screenings at age 45. But if you have a family history or other risks, these screenings should begin even earlier. Here are the three most common screening options that Community Health Network offers our patients.
The primary screening method for colorectal cancer, a colonoscopy is an exam used to look for irritated tissues, polyps, or other signs of cancer in the large intestine and rectum. During a colonoscopy, a doctor uses a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope with a tiny video camera attached to examine the entire colon.
This exam requires three days of strict diet changes leading up to the procedure, with instructions provided by the doctor. Patients are also often under a level of sedation, so transportation from the appointment must be arranged. But other than that, a colonoscopy is a straightforward exam that only takes 30-60 minutes.
A colonoscopy is the most thorough screening exam and can detect abnormalities quite early. As such, is highly recommended over other screenings. “The great thing about colonoscopy is if pre-cancerous polyps are found and removed, we can actually prevent colorectal cancer from developing at all in many cases,” says Dr. Kersey. “This is the main reason why a colonoscopy is the preferred screening method. Although the stool testing options can detect some pre-cancerous polyps, they're much more likely to only become positive once cancer has already formed.”
It is recommended that patients with normal results have a colonoscopy every 10 years. But if polyps or other abnormal tissues are discovered, biopsies can be taken during the procedure to test for colorectal cancer.
FIT is an at-home test that requires little-to-no preparation. FIT tests for hidden blood in patients’ stool, which can be an early sign of cancer.
This exam isn’t entirely comprehensive, and a positive result will require a follow-up diagnostic colonoscopy, which insurance might not cover. Since this test is less comprehensive than a colonoscopy, it is recommended to be done annually.
The FIT that Community provides is a water-based test using toilet water after a single bowel movement, meaning that stool collection or handling is not required.
The Cologuard exam is another at-home stool examination. This exam is recommended every three years if not choosing a screening colonoscopy. Compared to FIT, Cologuard has a higher false-positive rate. Unlike FIT, this at-home exam requires the collection and handling of a stool sample.
Under the Affordable Care Act, most insured patients will pay nothing for colorectal cancer screenings, regardless of the method. This is not true about diagnostic exams, so positive results, even false positives, that require a diagnostic colonoscopy can end up costing patients money. Choosing a screening colonoscopy is a safe way to help avoid false positives that can lead to healthcare expenses down the road.
To find a doctor and schedule your colorectal cancer exam, click here today.
