###### Abstract
Further minimization led to the development of handheld Raman spectrometers that open up possibilities for measurement in current clinical practice, routine analysis in field conditions, and obtaining results in real time. The handheld systems, unlike their portable modular and laboratory counterparts, are compact autonomous systems in which Raman spectra are often displayed on a handheld unit display, allowing for a more unrestricted approach to performing testing at a lower cost, with ease of transport, and with handling in a variety of environments such as places of ambulatory care. Today, the application area of handheld Raman spectrometers includes forensic science [11], analysis of pharmaceuticals and vaccines [12; 13], food authenticity and safety monitoring [14; 15; 16], and even known attempts at clinical medical diagnosis [17; 18; 19]. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of malignancy, after prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women. It is a frequent disease with a relatively high mortality rate due to its late detection at advanced stages when the treatment options are more aggressive, expensive, and have a poor prognosis [20]. Virtually all cases of CRC arise from adenomatous colorectal polyps, which can transform into carcinoma over time. It is possible to prevent this process by early detection and removal of adenomatous polyps before their malignant transformation. The development of screening methods and the involvement of the non-symptomatic population over fifty years old in the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program show a positive trend in the decrease in mortality from colorectal cancer [21; 22]. Colonoscopy is now considered the \"gold standard\" diagnostic and treatment tool for detecting and removing neoplasms, biopsy lesions, and asymptomatic colorectal polyps by screening the mucosa of the large intestine. However, a definitive diagnosis of CRC requires the histological examination of biopsy tissue samples. It is one of the slowest steps of the screening examination, taking about 10-14 days. Moreover, it requires complex preparative procedures for tissue samples, and the result depends on the pathologist's experience [23; 24]. The biopsy examination using a handheld Raman spectrometer could improve diagnosis and treatment decisions. This work considers and compares the capabilities of a handheld Raman spectrometer with already proven, higher-category modular and laboratory instruments in terms of its efficacy in a screening assay aimed at the clinical diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma. For this study, we selected representative samples of normal colon tissue and benign and malignant colorectal polyps evaluated through a histological analysis. The expected results will contribute to the development of screening methods and the involvement of new instrumental technologies in the timely detection of early stage cancer disease. With the help of such screening assisted with a handheld Raman device, the attending physician could determine the correct diagnosis directly during the examination of the patient and, thereby, improve the prognosis, use more gentle methods of therapy, and enhance the quality of treatment.