Colorectal Cancer 

Screening Saves Lives

Colorectal cancer is the second leading 

cancer killer—but it doesn’t have to be.

Types of Screening Tests

Several different screening tests can be used to find 

polyps or colorectal cancer. Each can be used alone, 

or sometimes in combination with each other. 

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) 

recommends colorectal cancer screening for men 

and women aged 50–75 using high-sensitivity 

fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, or 

colonoscopy. Talk to your doctor about which test or 

tests are right for you. The decision to be screened 

after age 75 should be made on an individual basis. 

If you are older than 75, ask your doctor if you 

should be screened. 

High-Sensitivity FOBT (Stool Test)—There are 

two types of FOBT—one uses the chemical guaiac, 

while the other (the fecal immunochemical test, 

or FIT) uses antibodies to find blood in the stool. 

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 to the doctor or 

a lab, where stool samples are checked for blood. 

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (Flex Sig)—The doctor 

puts a short, thin, flexible, lighted tube into your 

rectum, and checks for polyps or cancer inside the 

rectum and lower third of the colon. This test may 

be used in combination with the FOBT.

Colonoscopy—This is similar to flex sig, except 

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.

If you’re 50 or older, 

talk with your doctor 

about getting screened.

Other Screening Tests in Use or

Being Studied

Although these tests are not recommended by the 

USPSTF, they are used in some settings and other 

groups may recommend them. Many insurance 

plans don’t cover these tests and if anything 

unusual is found during the test, you likely will 

need a follow-up colonoscopy. 

Double Contrast Barium Enema—You receive 

an enema with a liquid called barium, followed by 

an air enema. This creates an outline around your 

colon, allowing the doctor to see the outline of 

your colon on an X-ray. 

Virtual Colonoscopy—Uses X-rays and computers 

to produce images of the entire colon. The images 

are displayed on the computer screen. 

Stool DNA Test—You collect an entire bowel 

movement and send it to a lab to be checked 

for cancer cells. 

Resources

For more information, visit 

www.cdc.gov/screenforlife or 

call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). 

For TTY, call 1-888-232-6348. 

To find out about Medicare coverage, 

call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 

or visit www.medicare.gov.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) • www.cdc.gov/screenforlife 

CDC Publication #99-6948 Revised July 2009
Among cancers that affect both men 

and women, colorectal cancer is the 

second leading cancer killer in the U.S. 

But if everyone aged 50 years or older 

had regular screening tests, at least 

60% of deaths from this cancer could 

be avoided.

What is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon

or rectum. The colon is the large intestine or large 

bowel. The rectum is the passageway connecting 

the colon to the anus.

Colon and Rectum

anus

stomach

rectum

small 

intestine

colon 

(large 

intestine)

Screening Saves Lives

If you’re 50 or older, getting a colorectal cancer 

screening test could save your life. 

Here’s How:

• Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps in 

the colon or rectum. A polyp is a growth that 

shouldn’t be there. Over time, some polyps can 

turn into cancer.

• Screening tests can find 

polyps, so they can be 

removed before they 

turn into cancer.

• Screening t ests also 

can find colorectal cancer

early, when the chance of being 

cured is good.

Who Gets Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer occurs most often in people aged 

50 or older. The risk increases with age. Both men 

and women can get colorectal cancer. If you are 50 

or older, talk to your doctor about getting screened. 

Am I at High Risk?

Your risk for colorectal cancer may be higher 

than average if: 

• You or a close relative have had colorectal 

polyps or colorectal cancer.

• You have inflammatory bowel disease. 

• You have a genetic syndrome such as familial 

adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary 

non-polyposis colorectal cancer. 

Speak with your doctor about having earlier or more 

frequent tests if you think you’re at high risk for 

colorectal cancer.

Colon Polyp

Colorectal Cancer 

Screening Saves Lives

What are the Symptoms of 

Colorectal Cancer?

People who have polyps or colorectal cancer 

don’t always have symptoms, especially at first. 

Someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer 

and not know it. If there are symptoms, they 

may include: 

• Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).

• Stomach aches, pains, or cramps that don’t 

go away.

• Losing weight and you don’t know why. 

If you have any of these symptoms, talk to 

your doctor. These symptoms may be caused by 

something other than cancer. However, the only 

way to know what is causing them is to see 

your doctor.

Insurance Coverage

Many insurance plans and Medicare help pay for 

colorectal cancer screening tests. Check with your 

plan to find out which tests are covered for you.