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6 Tests That Help Detect Colorectal Cancer and Colon Polyps

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Colon cancer screening tests save lives. How do they do this? Because they help your doctor find polyps or cancer before you even have symptoms. This early detection may prevent polyps from becoming cancer and could jumpstart treatment earlier, when it is most effective. Though it is usually recommended to start getting screened at age 50, there are other factors that create a higher risk and help decipher who should be screened and when.

Learn how you can take the first steps to reduce your chances of colon cancer!

Tests That Detect Cancer and Polyps

Colonoscopy (“The Gold Standard”)

What happens: The inside of the rectum and entire colon are examined using a long, lighted tube called a colonoscope.

When to get screened (if not high risk): Every ten years starting at age 50.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

What happens: Examines your rectum and lower part of the colon with a lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope.

When to get screened (if not high risk): Every five years starting at age 50.

Virtual Colonoscopy

What happens: Uses x-rays and computers to take 2- or 3-dimensional images of your colon and rectum.

When to get screened (if not high risk): Every five years starting at age 50 (though timing has not been closely studied).

Double-Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE)

What happens: Air and barium are pumped into your rectum. The solution will show polyps or tumors on x-rays.

When to get screened (if not high risk): Every five to ten years starting at age 50.

Fecal Occult Blood Tests* (FOBT)

Stool Guaiac FOBT

What happens: This test can detect small amounts of blood in stool by submitting a portion of several bowel movements to your doctor for testing. An FOBT requires abstaining from red meat and certain medications for a number of days prior to the test. An FOBT is more specific to finding blood from further up the digestive tract, such as the stomach.

When to get screened (if not high risk): Once a year starting at age 50.

Fecal Immunochemical Test* (FIT)

(Also called immunochemical fecal occult blood test or iFOBT)

What happens: This test is used to detect blood in stool that cannot be seen with the naked eye through submitting a portion of one to three bowel movements to your doctor for testing. A FIT is often used to detect bleeding in the digestive tract which has no other signs or symptoms. A FIT test is similar to an FOBT, except the FIT test is newer and doesn't require a restricted diet before taking the test. A FIT test may not detect blood from further up the digestive tract (such as the stomach), which means it is more specific to finding blood coming from the lower gastrointestinal tract than the FOBT.

When to get screened (if not high risk): Once a year starting at age 50.

*These screening methods test the stool for signs that cancer may be present. They are less invasive and easier to have done but are less likely to detect polyps.

For more information about colon cancer screening methods, visit ccalliance.org.

The Colon Cancer Alliance’s mission is to knock colon cancer out of the top three cancer killers. This mission is being accomplished by championing prevention, funding cutting-edge research and providing the highest quality patient support services. Learn more at ccalliance.org.

Published March 3, 2014

See also:

• Colon Cancer Facts and Stats
• A Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Saved My Life: Ashley Havlena's Story
• A Colonoscopy Saved My Life: Tonya Dennis' Story