CancerExplained.org · Free health handout
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Screening starts at 45 — and you have options
The basics
- Colorectal cancer often starts as a small growth (polyp) that takes years to become cancer — screening can find and remove polyps before that happens.
- Adults at average risk should screen regularly from age 45 to 75.
- A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps can mean starting earlier — tell your doctor.
Your test options
- At-home stool tests (FIT yearly, or stool DNA every 1–3 years): easy and non-invasive; a positive result needs a follow-up colonoscopy.
- Colonoscopy (every 10 years if normal): examines the whole colon and can remove polyps during the same visit.
- Other options include sigmoidoscopy and CT colonography — ask what's available to you.
Good to know
- The best test is the one you actually complete.
- Don't ignore symptoms: bleeding, persistent changes in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss deserve a doctor visit at any age.
If you're 45 or older and haven't been screened, ask your doctor which colorectal screening option fits you.
This handout is for education only and is not medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about what is right for you.
Sources: USPSTF: Colorectal screening · NCI: Colorectal screening. Updated 2026-07-04.
Learn more in plain language: https://cancerexplained.org/screening/colorectal-cancer-screening/ — free to copy and share for non-commercial education.