Colon cancer screening helps doctors find intestinal polyps before they become cancerous. Screening also helps to identify cancer in the early stages when it is easiest to treat. Adults with an average risk of colon cancer should start screening at age 50.

“People with a personal or family history of intestinal polyps or colon cancer should start screening at a younger age. It’s best to talk with your primary care provider to determine the right timing for you,” said Jared Colvert, DO, family medicine, New Ulm Medical Center Clinic.

When people think about colon cancer screening, it is often with dread. They may think colon cancer screening means having a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy requires taking laxatives to clean out the intestine before you have the test — and that is why some people dread it.

The good news is that preparing for a colonoscopy has changed over the years. The type of laxatives that are usually prescribed are easier to take. “Patients used to talk about how hard it was to go through the preparation, but I don’t hear that anymore,” said Colvert.

A physician discusses colonoscopy options with his patient.

If you are still anxious about having a colonoscopy, that is no reason to skip colon cancer screening. Assuming that you are at average risk for colon cancer, you can choose from a variety of screening options. Some can even be done right at home.

“Each screening method has pros and cons. I often tell my patients that the best method is the one that gets done,” said Colvert. “Your primary care provider can help you decide which is best for you.”

Here are your options:

Colonoscopy – a flexible tube with a tiny camera is passed into your rectum and through your entire colon. This exam is done every 10 years and requires preparation at home before the exam. 

Stool test (iFOBT) – This is a kit you use at home. You collect a stool sample and mail it to a lab for testing. This test is done each year.

FIT-DNA – This is a kit you use at home. You collect an entire stool and mail it to a lab for testing. This test is done each year.

Doctors consider colonoscopy to be the gold standard for screening because it is the most thorough and it allows doctors to remove any polyps and some early cancers. But the other methods, if used as recommended, are also effective screening tools. Insurance coverage varies for each method, so check with your insurance provider on what each would cost for you. When considering costs, remember that some tests are repeated each year.

If cancer is found, there are excellent cancer care resources at New Ulm Medical Center, including the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute – New Ulm and medical oncologist Anas Khanfar, MD.

“There is good evidence that colon cancer screening saves lives,” said Colvert. “No matter which method you choose, it’s very important to stick to the screening schedule your provider advises. That gives you the best chance of catching colon cancer early when it is much easier to treat.”

How to schedule your colon cancer screening

Talk to your primary care provider about which screening method is best for you. Call the New Ulm Medical Center Clinic at 507-217-5011 to make an appointment, or schedule an appointment online through your Allina Health account: Visit account.allinahealth.org.

Learn more at allinahealth.org/coloncancerscreening.