UNDERSTANDING COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING

Colorectal Cancer Screening: . Which test is right for you? » - COLORECTAL CANCER IS THE SECOND-LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FROM CANCER IN THE U.S. FOR MEN AND WOMEN COMBINED. The best way to prevent Who is this death from colorectal cancer is to stay current with screening. decision aid for? » THERE ARE MANY SCREENING TESTS FOR COLORECTAL CANCER. You and your This decision aid is for health care provider have a decision to make about which screening test adults who: is right for you. The test you choose will depend on your preference and which tests are available to you. No matter which test you use, the most Are 45 years of important thing is to get tested. age or older » THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RECOMMENDS that adults ages 45 and older with an average risk of colorectal cancer get screened regularly Are at average with a stool test or a visual test. Part of screening is having a follow- risk for colorectal up colonoscopy for positive results on any screening test (besides cancer colonoscopy).

What is colorectal cancer? Why should I get screened for Colorectal cancer is a cancer that colorectal cancer? starts in the colon or the rectum. With regular screening, most polyps can be found These cancers can also be named and removed before they have the chance to turn colon cancer or rectal cancer, into cancer. Screening can also find colorectal depending on where they start. cancer early, when it is smaller and easier to treat. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are ofen grouped together Colorectal cancer is the because they have many features in common. second-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Most colorectal cancers begin as when men and women a growth called a polyp on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. are combined, yet it can Some types of polyps can change into be prevented or detected cancer over the course of several years, at an early stage. but not all polyps become cancer.

How can I lower my risk of getting colorectal cancer? There are things you can do to help lower your risk, such as staying at a healthy weight, being physically active, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and eating a diet high in vegetables and fruits. What screening tests are available? Several screening options may be available to lab. Visual tests are tests that a doctor does to look you.* All of the screening tests below are efective inside your colon. Most health insurance plans, at finding colorectal cancer. These tests fall into including Medicare, cover most of these screening two categories. Stool tests are tests you can do at tests. Talk with your provider about which home by taking a stool sample and mailing it to a screening tests might be right for you.

 STOOL TESTS  VISUAL TESTS Fecal Immunochemical Colonoscopy Test (FIT) HOHOWW OFTEN: EvEverery 10 yeeararssyy HOHOW OFTEN:OFTEN:W OncOnce a ye yeearar »» YYour prour providerovider uses a ttubeube with »» YYou tou takake a ste stoolool sample a tiny ca cameramera ta to look forfo or and at home using a kit your rremoveemove polyps and ccancancerer in prproviderovider gives you. your cyour colon and rolon rectectum.um. »» It checks fIt foror blood in »» YYou tou takake a preppre (tep (tableabletsts and samples frsamples fromom 1 bowel somesomething totthing drink) befo befororee the movementmovement.. ttest test too empty the colon.c It causescolon. auses diarrhediarrhea (wa (wataterery stool).sty ool). »» YYouou mail your sample »» YYouou will be sedatedsedated and need a day of work.work Y. You willou will tto a labo lab.. need someone tto drive you.you.o

High-sensitivity Guaiac-based Fecal CT Colonography(CTC) Occult Blood Test (HSgFOBT) HOHOWW OFTEN: EvEverery 5 yy yeeararss HOHOWW OFTEN: OncOnce a ye yeearar »» The tThe test is also cest calledalled »» YYou tou takake ste stoolool virtvirtual cual colonoscolonoscopyopy.. samples at home »» YYour prour providerovider uses an using a kit your xx-r-rayay machine toto look prproviderovider gives you. fforor polyps and ccancancerer in »» YYouou mail your your cyour colon and rolon rectectum.um. samples tsamples to a labo lab.. »» YYou tou takake a pre prep (tep (tableabletsts »» It checks fIt foror blood in and someand something tthing to drink) befo beforore the te test totest o empty samples frsamples fromom 3 bowel movements. the cthe colon. It colon. causesauses diarrhediarrhea (wa (wataterery sty stool).ool).

Multi-target Stool DNA (MT-sDNA) Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (FS) HOHOWW OFTEN: EvEverery 3 yy yeeararss HOHOWW OFTEN: EvEverery 5 yy yeeararss »» YYou cou collectollect a bowel movement and »» YYour prour providerovider uses a ttubeube ststoolool sample at home using a kit with a tiny cwith cameramera ta too look your pryour providerovider has shipped tto you.o you. fforor polyps and ccancancerer »» It checks stIt stool fool foror blood and in the lower pthe partart of your abnormal DNA frfromom polyps ccolon and rolon rectectum.um. or cor cancancerer.. »» YYou give yourou yourselfself 1 or 2 »» YYouou mail a whole prpree-filled-filled enemas befbefororee bowel movement and the tthe test test too empty and cleclean the can colon.olon. ststool sample tool to a labo lab.. »» This tThis test is not avest availableailable in most placplaces.es.

*Not all tests may be available. Talk with your health care provider about which tests are available to you. Preventing colon cancer or finding it Talking with your health care provider Please bring this page to your next primary care early doesn’t have to be expensive. There are simple, afordable tests appointment. Your answers will help you and your available. Get screened! Call your provider discuss which screening test is right for you. doctor today. WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? Think about what is important to you in choosing a screening test. Answer the questions below to help you and your provider decide which test is right for you.

Ho w concerned are you about: NOT CONCERNED VERY CONCERNED Having to collect samples of your stool?      Completing screening every year?      Completing a prep to empty the colon?      Having an invasive procedure?      Taking time of to complete screening?      Being sedated and needing someone to      drive you home afer the screening?

Myths about colorectal cancer screening Questions for your MYTH: Screening is too expensive. health care provider FACT: Most screening tests are covered by insurance, including » Why do I need to get Medicare. There are also low-cost screening options. screened now? MYTH: Nobody in my family has a history of colorectal cancer, so I » What tests do you am not at risk. recommend for me? FACT: Most colorectal cancers are found in people without a » How do I prepare for the test? family history of colorectal cancer. Those with a family history are at higher risk. » Will the test be painful or uncomfortable? MYTH: If my stool looks normal, I should be fine. FACT: You can have colorectal cancer or polyps even if your » Is there any risk involved stool looks normal. in the test? MYTH: Colorectal cancer is not that common. » What happens if the screening test comes back positive? FACT: Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer- related deaths in the U.S. Screening is the best way to » When should I stop screening? prevent death from colorectal cancer. » How and when will I get my MYTH: Having a colonoscopy is the only way to get screened. results? FACT: There are several diferent screening tests available. Some are simple and can be done at home. cancer.org | 1.800.227.2345 ©2018, American Cancer Society, Inc.