Talking with Your Doctor about Colorectal Cancer Screening

Screening overview

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults age 45 to 75 get screened for colorectal cancer. The decision to get screened between ages 76 and 85 should be made on an individual basis. If you are older than 75, talk to your doctor about screening.

Several screening tests can find polyps or colorectal cancer. The benefits and risks of these screening methods vary.

Are you at increased risk of getting colorectal cancer?

Personal choices and certain health conditions can raise your risk of getting colorectal cancer. You may need to start screening earlier than 45, or get screened more often than other people, if you have:

• Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
• A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).

Are you having signs or symptoms?

Tell your doctor if you have any of these signs or symptoms:

• A change in bowel habits.
• Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.
• Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that do not go away.
• Weight loss and you don't know why.
• Low levels of iron in your blood (anemia).

Ask your doctor

• Do I need to get screened for colorectal cancer?
• What screening test do you recommend? Why?
• How do I prepare? Do I need to change my diet or my usual medication before taking the test?
• What's involved in the test? Will it be uncomfortable or painful?
• Is there any risk involved?
• How much time will I need to take off from work or other responsibilities?
• When and from whom will I get results?

If you’re having a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, ask your doctor:

• Who will do the exam?
• Will I need someone with me?