March 7, 2023
What you need to know about colon cancer screenings
Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for most people starting at age 45. Learn why it’s important to get tested.
Regular screening can prevent colorectal cancer by helping doctors find and remove polyps before they become cancerous.
Keeping up with regular screenings is one of the best ways to stop colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer.
Colon cancer happens when cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. It’s the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States for men and women. Yet when caught early, colon cancer can often be cured.
Being screened can also prevent cancer by finding polyps — small clumps of cells on the lining of the colon. Doctors can then remove polyps before they become cancerous.
Regular cancer screenings save lives
Kaiser Permanente is proud of its high colon cancer screening rates. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people put off life-saving preventive screenings. The good news is that one type of screening for colon cancer can be done in the comfort and privacy of your home.
Colorectal cancer screening saves lives
When colorectal cancer is caught early, it can often be cured. Our screening rates are among the nation’s best.
Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare colorectal cancer screening rate is 87%, which is higher than the national average of 73%. Kaiser Permanente’s commercial colorectal cancer screening rate is 75%, which is higher than the national average of 63%.
Source: 2022 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®)
At-home colon cancer screening test
A fecal immunochemical test, or FIT, checks for hidden blood in your stool, which could be a sign of colon cancer or colon polyps. If your FIT results are positive, your doctor will recommend a colonoscopy to look at the inner lining of your colon and rectum.
Colon cancer screening guidelines
Most people should start screening for colon cancer at age 45 and continue until age 75. If you’re at higher risk, you may need to start screening at an earlier age. You may be at higher risk if you have certain health conditions or a family history of colon cancer.
Talk with your doctor about your risks, when to start screening, and what type of cancer screening is best for you.
