What You Need to Know About Colon Cancer Screening
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States—but it’s also one of the most preventable. Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Halverson at NorthLakes Community Clinic says, “regular screening can catch problems early, when they’re easiest to treat.”
Here’s what you need to know:
Who Should Get Screened?
Most adults should start colon cancer screening at age 45 and continue through age 75. If you’re over 75, talk with your provider about whether screening still makes sense for you based on your overall health.
Even if you’re under 45, you may need screening sooner if you have:
- Symptoms like changes in bowel habits or unexplained bleeding
- A family history of colon cancer
- A bowel disease that increases your risk
Your Screening Options
There’s no one-size-fits-all test. Here’s a breakdown of the most common options:
Colonoscopy (Every 10 years) This is the gold standard. Done at an outpatient clinic with sedation, a colonoscopy uses a lighted tube to examine your entire colon. The biggest advantage: if polyps are found, they can often be removed right then and there. Polyps are small, usually harmless growths — but over time, some can turn into cancer. Removing them early is one of the most effective ways to prevent colon cancer. Most patients tolerate this procedure well.
FIT/gFOBT Test (Every year) This is a stool test you can do at home. It detects blood in your stool, which can be a sign of cancer — but also of other conditions like hemorrhoids, ulcers, or infection. It won’t detect polyps or specific cancer markers. If your result comes back positive, a colonoscopy will be the next step.
FIT-DNA Test (Cologuard) (Every 3 years) Also done at home, this test looks for altered DNA and blood in your stool. A kit is mailed to your home, and you send your sample directly to the lab. It’s more specific than the FIT test alone, but like all stool-based tests, a positive result means you’ll need a colonoscopy to follow up.
The Bottom Line
Colon cancer screening saves lives. While the colonoscopy remains the most thorough option, any screening is better than none. Talk with your NorthLakes provider about which test is the right fit for you — your age, health history, and personal preferences all matter.
Don’t wait for symptoms. Many colon cancers and polyps cause no pain or warning signs. Screening is how we find problems before they become serious. Questions? Call your NorthLakes clinic or visit nlccwi.org.
Jennifer Halverson is a nurse practitioner at NorthLakes Community Clinic in Lakewood. Call (715) 276-6321 to schedule an appointment.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 17). Screening for colorectal cancer. https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/screening/index.html
Zhang, J., Chen, C., et al. (2020). Colonoscopic screening is associated with reduced colorectal cancer incidence and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Cancer, 11(20), 5953–5970. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7477408/
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2021). Colorectal cancer: Screening. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening
