Colon cancer screening · Patient guide
Colonoscopy prevents colon cancer
A colonoscopy can find and remove a growth before it ever turns into cancer — in one visit. Stool and blood tests can only tell you something might be wrong.
How screening tests compare
High-risk growths found out of 100
Colonoscopy
95 of 100
high-risk growths found and removed
Sources: Knudsen & Lin et al., JAMA 2021 · Imperiale et al., NEJM 2024 · Burke et al., AGA 2022 · Chung et al., NEJM 2024
What should you do?
Ask your doctor about colonoscopy first — it's the best single test for most adults.
Can't have one? A stool or blood test is still better than skipping screening.
Most people should start at age 45. Ask what's right for you.