Colon Cancer Screening and Test Information (2024)

American Cancer Society Guidelines recommend that people at average risk for colon cancer should begin screening at age 45.

Screening earlier than age 45 may be recommended for those at increased risk for colon cancer. Factors that put someone at increased risk include:

• A strong family history or personal history of colon cancer or certain polyps

• A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)

• A personal or family history of an inherited genetic disorder or mutation such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome

• A history of cancer that was treated with radiation to the pelvic area or abdomen (belly)

People with early colon cancer may not have any symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms of colon cancer may be misidentified as hemorrhoids, infection, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Abdominal pain
• Accidental weight loss
• Blood in stool
• Change in bowel habits
• Cramping
• Fatigue
• Feeling of nonrelief after having a bowel movement
• Rectal bleeding
• Weakness

Screening for colon cancer is important because people with early colon cancer may not have any symptoms, or they may mistake symptoms for something else. Early detection increases survival and prevention. Screening makes it possible to catch early cancerous or precancerous changes in the colon while they are treatable.

Almost all colon cancer starts as polyps, which can be removed before they ever become cancerous. If found early enough, colon cancer can be removed before it can spread to other parts of the body.

You are considered to be at increased or high risk for colon cancer if:

• You have a strong family history or personal history of colon cancer or certain polyps
• You have a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
• You or someone in your family is known to have an inherited genetic disorder or mutation such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome
• You have a history of cancer that was treated with radiation to the pelvic area or abdomen (belly)

If you are at increased or high risk for colon cancer, your doctor may want you to start screening earlier than age 45 and/or at more frequent intervals, and to use highly sensitive screening tests like colonoscopy.

You can view, download, and print your results using the Labcorp Patient™ account.

In addition to viewing the results of your ColoFIT test, your Labcorp Patient account allows you to:

• Schedule appointments at a Labcorp lab
• View and pay bills for Labcorp services

Your results will appear in the Patient Portal 48 hours after they are released to your healthcare provider. If you need follow-up testing and/or treatment based on the result of your ColoFIT test, your doctor will contact you to schedule next steps.

No special preparation is required before taking the Labcorp ColoFIT test. After you collect your sample, follow the enclosed instructions for packing your ColoFIT sample for return shipping to a Labcorp facility for testing.

The ColoFIT sample must be mailed to Labcorp within 24 hours of collection.

With a few exceptions, you can take the test at any time under any conditions that you would normally have a bowel movement.

Please note that because the ColoFIT test is designed to detect trace amounts of blood, you should avoid collecting a sample at times when blood may be present in your stool for other reasons, such as:

1. during your menstrual period, if you are female
2. If you are experiencing bleeding hemorrhoids
3. If you are constipated
4. If you are experiencing bleeding from your urinary tract.

Alcohol and certain medications, such as NSAIDs, may irritate your gut and cause bleeding. You may want to abstain from drinking alcohol or taking NSAIDs in the days leading up to the bowel movement you will sample for your ColoFIT kit.

The Labcorp ColoFIT kit is designed to make collecting your stool sample safe and easy. Only a very small amount of stool (0.01 gram) is necessary to perform the test. The specially designed probe allows you to collect the sample with no direct contact with your stool.

After collecting your sample, you will reseal the test tube and deposit the sample in a sealed specimen bag. The tube and bag are both designed to medical industry standards and are safe to handle and ship through the mail.

Federal law requires both private insurers and Medicare to cover colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45. Visit https:// www.labcorp.com/provider-services/insurance-and-medicare for a list of insurance providers filed by Labcorp. The Labcorp ColoFIT kit is HSA/FSA accepted.

Also, you can order the Labcorp OnDemand ColoFIT kit for $89. Learn more about ordering your Labcorp OnDemand ColoFIT kit.

Paying for Labcorp services is straightforward and easy. You will be able to view and pay any bills from Labcorp through the same Labcorp Patient account you use to view your results.