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According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 5 Black men and 1 in 6 Black women will die from cancer. Colon cancer is often easily treated when caught early.
Common Questions about Screening
Who should get screened?
People at average risk of colorectal cancer should start regular screening at age 45.
How do I get screened?
You have three options for screening: FOBT, Cologuard, or colonoscopy. Below is more information about each screening option.
How often do I need to get screened?
That depends on a few things like your medical history and which screening option you select. Please talk to your health care provider about how often you need to get screened.
But I feel good, and I am healthy! Do I still need to get screened?
Yes! Early-stage colon cancer often has no symptoms. Getting screened now could save your life.
Screening Options
Colonoscopy
Cologuard
FIT
How much does it cost?
Covered by most insurances
Covered by most insurances. Available for no cost to CHC patients without insurance.
Covered by most insurances. Available for no cost to CHC patients without insurance.
How often should it be done?
Every 10 years (Testing may be more frequent. Please talk to your provider.)
Every 3 years ((Testing may be more frequent. Please talk to your provider.))
Once a year
How long does it take?
1-2 days for prep and procedure
Just the time it takes to collect the sample
Just the time it takes to collect the sample
How does it work?
Uses a scope to look for and remove abnormal growths in the colon/rectum
Finds abnormal DNA and blood in the stool
Detects blood in the stool sample
Getting Screened Saved My Life: Patient Stories
“I want to share my story of how a screening colonoscopy saved my life. For two years my doctor kept reminding me that I needed to have a screening colonoscopy. I was perfectly healthy and had no family history of colon cancer. I had many reasons to procrastinate, but basically, out of fear of the test, the prep, and a few dozen lame excuses, I chose to ignore my doctor. It wasn’t until my husband dared me in front of my doctor that I agreed to the test.
To make a long story short, at the age of 52, I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. My fear of colonoscopies was nothing compared to my fear of dying from colorectal cancer! I was fortunate. My cancer was in the early stages, and surgery offered me a cure. The prep for the colonoscopy was honestly not that bad. The colonoscopy was accompanied by sedation that made me wonder, “Is that all there is to it?
The moral of my story is if I had waited until I had symptoms, it would have been too late.”
“In 1992, my husband and sister were diagnosed with colon cancer. They died within four months of each other. He had just turned 60 and my sister was 63. My husband had been in very good health, exercised religiously, ate a healthy diet, and got regular physicals by his internist. However, he did not get a colonoscopy. My sister was afraid of going to the doctor and did not want to get a colonoscopy. They both died unnecessarily.
I get a colonoscopy regularly. I’m 71 and have had at least four of them. The first two times, I had polyps which were painlessly removed during the procedure. Do I enjoy the prep? No way. But I see it as a small price to pay for enjoying the rest of my life. The procedure itself has always been painless, and afterwards I have gone out with friends to a film or a walk, or gone back to work. I am passionate.”
