Prevention · Cancer screening

Colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancer screening finds cancer and precancerous polyps early. Recommended ages, test options from FIT to colonoscopy, and how often.

Written by LON6EVITY Editorial Team · Last updated

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Who should be screened

The USPSTF recommends colorectal cancer screening for all adults aged 45 to 75, and selective screening from 76 to 85 based on health and prior screening. National programmes in other countries use different age ranges.

Test options

Options include stool-based tests such as yearly FIT and direct visualisation such as colonoscopy, usually every 10 years if normal. The best test is the one that actually gets done.

Higher risk

People with a strong family history, inflammatory bowel disease or certain genetic conditions may need earlier or more frequent screening.

Factors that can affect the result

  • Age
  • Family history
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Smoking
  • Obesity

Questions people commonly ask

Does a positive FIT mean cancer?
No. It means a colonoscopy is needed to find the cause.

Related tests

Related topics

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Sources

  1. Colorectal Cancer: Screening. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2021.
  2. Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT). MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.