Which Colorectal Cancer Screening Option is Right for You?

Colorectal cancer ranks third in new cases each year and roughly second in cancer-related deaths for both men and women combined. Because the disease often develops without symptoms, patients frequently discover it at an advanced stage. However, proactive healthcare decisions can significantly alter this outcome.

Nicanda Gordon, M.D., a family medicine physician at Baptist Health Primary Care, provides precise guidance on the importance of early detection. When patients understand their risks and the available screening options, they can take actionable steps to protect their wellness. Dr. Gordon points to current screening recommendations, the different types of tests available and strategies for reducing your risk.

The Importance Of Early Detection

Detecting cancer before symptoms appear offers the best chance for a successful recovery. “In Florida, the five-year survival rate for localized colorectal cancer is nearly 90 percent when detected early,” Dr. Gordon points out. “The evidence is clear: early detection saves lives.”

Many patients delay routine care because they experience no negative health changes. “Some individuals — particularly men — are more likely to delay routine screenings, often because they feel well and don’t perceive urgency,” Dr. Gordon notes. “There can be an ‘if I feel fine, I must be fine’ mindset. Avoiding screening does not eliminate risk — it only delays detection.”

When symptoms do appear, patients must address them promptly. Dr. Gordon explains that common signs include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal discomfort or unexplained fatigue. Furthermore, patients frequently overlook a persistent change in bowel patterns. New constipation, diarrhea or thinner stools that last several weeks require prompt medical evaluation.

Recommended Screening Guidelines

Health organizations establish clear timelines to help patients schedule their care. Current government guidelines recommend that adults at average risk begin routine colorectal cancer screenings at age 45. Patients should continue regular screenings through age 75, after which it would be up to the individual and their physician.

Personal and family medical histories heavily influence these timelines. Patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease, prior polyps or a strong family history of the disease require earlier and more frequent evaluations.

“Knowing your family history is really important,” Dr. Gordon advises. “If a first-degree relative — such as a parent or sibling — was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, your screening should begin 10 years earlier than the age at which they were diagnosed. So if your parent was diagnosed at 47, you would start screening at age 37.”

Dr. Gordon encourages patients to ask family members if genetic testing identified a hereditary syndrome, as this information can save lives.

Types Of Colorectal Cancer Screenings

Patients have access to several effective screening methods. The right choice depends on individual risk factors, medical history and personal preference, Dr. Gordon says.

Stool-Based Tests:

These tests check the stool for hidden blood or altered DNA. Patients collect samples at home and return them to a laboratory.

• Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): Uses antibodies to detect blood in the stool. Patients complete this test once a year.
• Guaiac-Based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT): Uses a chemical to detect blood. Patients also complete this annually.
• FIT-DNA Test: Combines the FIT with a test that detects altered DNA. Patients complete this every three years.

Visual Exams:

Physicians use specialized equipment to examine the inside of the colon and rectum.

• Colonoscopy: A physician examines the entire colon using a flexible, lighted tube. During the procedure, the physician can remove precancerous polyps. Average-risk patients schedule this every 10 years.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: A physician checks the lower third of the colon. Patients complete this every five years.
• CT Colonography: Also known as a virtual colonoscopy, this test uses imaging technology to produce detailed pictures of the entire colon. Patients schedule this every five years.

Blood-Based Tests:

Recent advancements offer blood tests that check for genetic changes associated with colorectal cancer. Medical professionals administer these tests in a clinical setting.

“For average-risk patients, we discuss options such as stool-based DNA testing (such as Cologuard) or colonoscopy,” Dr. Gordon says. “Both are effective when done appropriately. The most important factor is choosing a screening method the patient is comfortable completing. A screening test only works if it gets done.”

If a patient receives an abnormal result from a stool-based test, virtual colonoscopy or blood test, a traditional colonoscopy is essential to complete the evaluation.

Actionable Steps For Digestive Health

Beyond scheduling a screening, patients can adjust their lifestyle habits to lower their risk. Dr. Gordon emphasizes limiting ultra-processed foods, reducing alcohol intake, and avoiding smoking or vaping.

“What’s good for your heart is usually good for your gut,” Dr. Gordon says. “This includes staying physically active to maintain a normal BMI [Body Mass Index], eating well-balanced, fiber-rich meals low in ultra-processed foods, minimizing consumption of nitrate-rich processed meats, and avoiding smoking or vaping.”

Schedule Your Screening Today

Screening saves lives, Dr. Gordon stresses. “Detecting precancerous polyps early — or identifying cancer at an early stage — can mean years more with your loved ones. Time is our most valuable resource, and preventive care is one of the most powerful ways we can protect it. Being proactive today can profoundly change tomorrow.”

Click here for more information about colorectal cancer screenings at Baptist Health.