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A beginner’s guide to a colon cancer screening

A beginner’s guide to a colon cancer screening

by Dr. Suvadip Chakrabarti

Posted on 28th March, 2023 at 5:37:45 AM


A screening test is used to look for a disease when the concerned person doesn’t have any obvious symptoms. While on the other hand, when a person has symptoms, diagnostic tests are the options to find out the cause of the symptoms.

However, when you are undergoing screening for colon cancer, you need to understand the basic things first.

Fast Facts shared by the best oncologist in Kolkata

  • If you are 50 to 75 years old, an oncologist recommends a colon cancer screening to detect any cancerous
  • Did you know the majority of colorectal cancer occurs in people who are 50 years or older
  • Millions of people in our country are not undergoing screening as recommended by the oncologists
  • Do you think you are at an increased risk of colon cancer? Learn your family health history first. Ask your doctor whether you should begin your screening before the age of 50

Screening Guidelines

Regular screening, usually started at the age of 50, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. According to the best cancer doctor in Kolkata, anyone between the age group of 50-75 needs a colon cancer screening. And talking about adults aged 76 to 85 should ask their doctor if they need a colon cancer screening or not!

When should I start to get screened?

You should start screening for colorectal cancer soon after you have turned 50 and continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you might need to be tested even before you have turned 50 if –

  • You or a close relative have had colorectal polyps
  • If you have an inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
  • You have a generic syndrome such as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, familial adenomatous

If you think you are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer consult your doctor about –

  • When to start your screening
  • Which test is the right one for you
  • How often to go for the screening

Test options for colon cancer screening

Multiple test options include-

Stool-based tests

  • Highly sensitive guaiac-based fecal occult blood test
  • Highly sensitive fecal immunochemical test
  • Multi-targeted stool DNA test every 3 years

Visual (structural) exams of the colon and rectum

  • Colonoscopy every 10 years
  • CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy

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