Colorectal and Prostate Cancer Screening

Man and woman screening for colorectal cancer

Regular screening is one of the best ways to prevent colorectal cancer. Screening may help you find cancer even when you have no symptoms. You can even screen in the privacy of your own home.

If you have no family history of colorectal cancer, screening is recommended at 45 years of age. If you have a close family member who had colorectal cancer or polyps, talk to your doctor. You may need to begin screening before age 45.

Types of colorectal cancer screening tests

Stool tests

  • The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) uses the chemical guaiac to detect blood in the stool. It is done once a year. For this test, you receive a test kit from your health care provider. At home, you use a stick or brush to obtain a small amount of stool. You return the test kit to the doctor or a lab, where the stool samples are checked for the presence of blood.
  • The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) uses antibodies to detect blood in the stool. It is also done once a year in the same way as a gFOBT.
  • The FIT-DNA test (also referred to as the stool DNA test) combines the FIT with a test that detects altered DNA in the stool. For this test, you collect an entire bowel movement and send it to a lab, where it is checked for altered DNA and for the presence of blood. It is done once every three years.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

For this test, the doctor puts a short, thin, flexible, lighted tube into your rectum. The doctor checks for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and lower third of the colon. Repeat every 5 years, or every 10 years with a FIT-DNA test every year.

Colonoscopy

The doctor uses a longer, thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and the entire colon. During the test, the doctor can find and remove most polyps and some cancers. Colonoscopy also is used as a follow-up test if anything unusual is found during one of the other screening tests.

How often: Every 10 years, for people who do not have an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Computed tomography (CT) colonography (virtual colonoscopy)

Computed tomography (CT) colonography, also called a virtual colonoscopy, uses X-rays and computers to produce images of the entire colon, which are displayed on a computer screen for the doctor to analyze.

How often: Every 5 years.

How do I know which screening test is right for me?

Each test has advantages and disadvantages. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each test, and how often to be tested. Which test to use depends on—

More information about colorectal cancer screening tests can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Prostate cancer screening

Regular screening can find prostate cancers that may be at high risk of spreading, so that they can be treated before they spread. This may lower the chance of death from prostate cancer in some men.

  • When to get screened?
  • Men who are 55 to 69 years old should make individual decisions about being screened for prostate cancer with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.
  • Before deciding, men should talk to their doctor about the benefits and harms of screening for prostate cancer, including the benefits and harms of other tests and treatment.
  • Men who are 70 years old and older should not be routinely screened for prostate cancer.

Routine screening recommendations apply to men who

  • Are at average risk for prostate cancer.
  • Are at increased risk for prostate cancer.
  • Do not have symptoms of prostate cancer.
  • Have never been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening

If you are thinking about being screened, you and your doctor should consider

  • If you have a family history of prostate cancer.
  • If you are African American.
  • If you have other medical conditions that may make it difficult for you to be treated for prostate cancer if it is found, or that may make you less likely to benefit from screening.
  • How you value the potential benefits and harms of screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides more information about the benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening and how to decide if you should be screened.

Sources:

"Colorectal cancer screening tests," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 2023,

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/screening/tests.htm.

"Prostate cancer: What are the benefits and harms of screening?" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 2023,

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/benefits-harms.htm.

"Should I get screened for prostate cancer?" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 2023,

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/get-screened.htm.

Member's Preventive Care Center