Get Your BUTT Checked: March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Click on the name of each colorectal cancer screening method to learn more.METHOD WHAT & HOW FREQUENCY PROS CONS SENSITIVITY/ SPECIFICITY
FOR DETECTING CANCERColonoscopy Simple and safe procedure in which your doctor uses a long tube with a light and camera to detect polyps Every 5-10 years depending on whether polyps are found Views the entire colon. Polyps can be removed during the procedure if found Dietary restrictions and prep to clean out the colon is needed Sens 95%
Spec 86%Stool DNA Tests for abnormal DNA and blood in stool. Collect bowel movement and send back to the lab for analysis using collection apparatus provided with kit. Every 3 years (according to ACS guidelines) No prep, dietary restrictions, or changes to medications necessary. Greater accuracy than FIT. More expensive than FIT if test not covered by insurance. Follow-up colonoscopy necessary if test indicates precancer or cancer. Sens 92%
Spec 87%Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT or iFBOT) Tests for blood. Swab bowel movement and place on card Annually No prep. Done at home. Fairly Inexpensive Accuracy. Need a colonoscopy if blood is detected. Requires 1-2 separate samples Sens 73.8%
Spec 96.4%Guaiac Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) Tests for blood. Swab bowel movement and place on card Annually No prep. Done at home. Inexpensive Accuracy, Dietary restrictions, Need a colonoscopy if blood is detected. Requires 3 separate samples Sens 70%
Spec 92.5%Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Detects polyps. Done at a doctors' office Every 5 years, may be combined with annual stool test No sedation required. Can biopsy if small polyp detected Only views part of the colon. Need a colonoscopy if larger polyps or other issues are detected Sens 95%
Spec 87%
Only left sided cancersVirtual Colonoscopy Uses x-rays and computers to take 2- or 3-D images of your colon and rectum Every 5 years Quicker and less invasive than colonoscopy. No sedation is needed Expensive and not covered by all insurance carriers, Dietary restrictions 1-3 days before the procedure, full bowel prep is required, If a polyp is found, will need a colonoscopy Sens 84%
Spec 88%Double Contrast Barium Enema Air and barium are pumped into your rectum. The solution will show polyps or tumors on X-rays. Every 5-10 years Done without sedation. Less expensive than colonoscopy Laxative preparation is required. Polyps cannot be removed during the procedure. If polyps are found, a colonoscopy will be needed Very low sensitivity and specificity
