Colon Cancer Screening
Skip is not an option. Right test = best outcomes.
When to screen
- Start age 45 average risk.
- Continue until 75 (or 85 if healthy).
- Family history — start earlier.
- Most common preventable cancer.
- Saves lives if caught early.
- Medicare covers fully.
Test options
- Colonoscopy — every 10 years. Gold standard.
- Cologuard — every 3 years. Stool DNA. At home.
- FIT test — yearly. Stool blood. At home.
- Sigmoidoscopy — every 5 years. Partial colon.
- CT colonography — every 5 years.
- Talk to doctor — pick best for you.
Colonoscopy facts
- 30-min outpatient procedure.
- Sedation = no pain.
- Removes polyps during procedure (prevents cancer).
- Most accurate.
- Prep day before unpleasant but doable.
- Drive home with friend.
- Back to normal next day.
Cologuard at home
- Mail-order kit.
- Collect stool sample at home.
- Mail back.
- Results 2 weeks.
- Positive = colonoscopy needed.
- Less invasive but less accurate.
- Medicare covers if eligible.
Senior considerations
- Healthy + 75-85 — discuss with doctor.
- Multiple comorbidities — may stop screening.
- Polyps removed — back next 1-3 years.
- Negative test — back in 5-10 years.
- Don't skip — colon cancer survivable if caught.
Free with Medicare
Medicare Part B covers colorectal cancer screening fully. No copay for screening colonoscopy. If polyp removed, becomes "diagnostic" — small copay. Cologuard fully covered. FIT yearly fully covered. Take advantage.