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Home About Colon Cancer Colon Cancer Screening

Screening: It's easier than you might think

Currently only 30 percent of Americans take advantage of colon cancer screening. Yet if all colon cancer cases were detected at their earliest stages, five-year overall survival rates would jump from 65 percent to 90 percent.

What are the screening methods?

• Colonoscopy every 10 years: Colonoscopy is a procedure in which a lighted probe (a colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum and entire colon to look for polyps and abnormalities; if polyps are found, they can be immediately removed.
  
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years: Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure in which a lighted probe (a sigmoidoscope) is inserted into the rectum and lower colon to check for polyps and abnormalities.
  
• Annual fecal-occult blood test (FOBT) with flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
  
• Annual fecal-occult blood test (FOBT)

Ask your doctor about which screening methods are right for you ... they can save your life!

Contact a doctor about getting screened:

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (206) 288-7222 825 Eastlake Avenue E. Seattle, WA 98109

Search for additional gastroenterologists with the Washington Medical Association »

For more information about cancer prevention and early detection, visit the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance's Cancer Prevention Clinic.