Colon Cancer Screening

Nearly every colon cancer starts as a small polyp. A colonoscopy is how you catch it first.

A colonoscopy doesn’t just detect colorectal cancer—it prevents it, by finding and removing precancerous polyps years before they become dangerous.

Colon cancer screening starts at age 45 for average risk individuals. Skip the office visit and get scheduled directly for your colonoscopy today.

Check if you qualify

  • 10%

    of colon cancer cases are diagnosed in people under 50.

  • ~10 yrs

    is roughly how long it typically takes a polyp to progress into cancer—the window a colonoscopy is built to close.

  • 1 in 24

    is the approximate lifetime risk of a colorectal cancer diagnosis for the average adult in the U.S., per the American Cancer Society.

  • 2nd

    colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in men and women combined.

Who Needs Colon Cancer Screening?

Two paths, depending on your history.

Screening age and frequency depend on your personal and family history. Find where you fit below.

Average Risk

Screening starts at age 45 if you have:

  • No family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
  • No inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis)
  • No symptoms of colorectal cancer

Increased or High Risk

Screening usually starts earlier for individuals with:

  • A parent, sibling, or child with colorectal cancer or advanced polyps
    • Screening starts 10 years before their age at diagnosis, or by 40, whichever comes first
  • Personal history of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Known Lynch syndrome, FAP, or similar hereditary syndrome
    • Screening often starts in your 20s, guided by a specialist

If any of this applies to you, a GI consultation—not direct scheduling—is the right next step, since your interval and prep may differ.

 

A medical professional, wearing a blue scrub performing colonoscopy

Warning Signs of Colon Cancer

Are you experiencing colon cancer symptoms? Don’t wait until you reach screening age.

Symptoms don’t automatically mean cancer—but you should never take a “wait and see” approach. Experiencing any signs of colon cancer calls for a doctor’s visit regardless of your age.

Common colon cancer symptoms include:

  • Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
  • Change in bowel habits lasting more than a few days (e.g. diarrhea, constipation, or narrower stools)
  • A feeling that your bowel doesn’t fully empty
  • Ongoing fatigue or iron-deficiency anemia
  • Cramping, abdominal pain, or bloating that won’t resolve
  • Unexplained weight loss

If any of this sounds familiar, the right next step is an evaluation by one of our specialists—not a direct access screening procedure.

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Direct Access Colonoscopy: Skip the Extra Visit

If you're at average risk and have no symptoms, you may qualify to schedule a screening colonoscopy directly with one of our board-certified gastroenterologists—no separate pre-procedure office visit required.

1. Confirm you qualify

Meet the following criteria for screening:

  • At least 45 years of age
  • Have an average risk of colon cancer
  • Not currently experiencing symptoms
  • No personal history of polyps
  • No complex medication needs

2. Complete a short intake assessment

A procedure scheduler reviews your health history by phone and confirms direct scheduling is right for you.

3. Pick a date

Choose a date and time that works for you and receive your prep kit and instructions in advance. 

4. Show up prepped

The procedure itself typically takes 20–30 minutes under sedation. Plan for someone to drive you to and from the procedure.

Colon Cancer Screening FAQs

Have questions about your screening colonoscopy? Read through our commonly asked questions below before calling to schedule your evaluation.

In the U.S., screening colonoscopy is generally covered without cost-sharing under the Affordable Care Act for ages 45–75. Coverage details vary if a polyp is found and removed during the procedure — our intake team can walk through specifics for your plan.

You'll follow a bowel-prep regimen the day before, which clears the colon so it can be examined clearly. It's the most talked-about part of the process — and, for most people, the mildest part in practice.

Most polyps are removed during the same procedure that finds them, with the tissue sent for analysis. Your follow-up interval depends on what's found — your care team will explain your specific plan afterward.

No. Stool-based tests (like FIT) are another recommended option and can be done at home, though they need to be repeated more often and any abnormal result still leads to a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is the only method that also removes polyps in the same visit.

Yes. Most polyps and even many early cancers cause no symptoms at all. That's exactly why age-based screening exists — it's designed to find problems before your body would ever tell you something's wrong.