Here’s a little bit about each type of colon cancer screening. Be sure to talk with your doctor about which one may be right for you.
Stool test: There are three types of stool tests. The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test and fecal immunochemical test both check for blood in your stool (blood could be an indicator that there’s a polyp or cancer). Both kinds of tests are done once a year. The stool DNA test checks for actual cancer cells in the stool and is done every 1 or 3 years.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy: Your doctor inserts a little lighted tube into your rectum and lower part of the colon to check for polyps or cancer. This is done every 5 years (or every 10, along with that stool DNA test mentioned above).
Colonoscopy: This is like the flexible sigmoidoscopy, but it checks the rectum and the whole colon. During a colonoscopy, the doctor may remove anything suspicious. This screening is done every 10 years for people at average risk. It can also be a follow-up test if something concerning is found in one of the screenings listed above.
Virtual colonoscopy: This uses X-rays and computers to create images of your colon for the doctor to analyze. This one is done every 5 years.
The test you choose may depend on your health, risk factors and personal comfort level with getting screened. The important thing is to talk to your doctor who can help you pick one — and have it done regularly.