Take care of you

Know your options for colon cancer screening

Getting screened regularly is one of the best ways to prevent colon cancer. A screening can help find cancer even if you have no symptoms. And a colonoscopy isn’t the only test available. There are some you can do at home.

Even if you have no family history of colon cancer, you should get a colon screening.1 If you’re African American, your risk is greater. Talk to your doctor about when to start getting screened for colon cancer.

Prepare and prevent

You may be eligible for any of the preventive screening tests below at no cost with an in-network provider.

 

EVERY YEAR
FIT and gFOBT
(these tests detect hidden blood in the stool)
Done at home
For FIT: no prep required
For gFOBT: some prep required
Risk-free
If positive, colonoscopy is recommended
EVERY 3 YEARS
Cologuard® stool DNA test
(detects altered DNA and blood in the stool)
Done at home; no prep required
Detects cancer and precancerous cells
Can at times return false-positive or false-negative results
If positive, colonoscopy is recommended
EVERY 5 YEARS
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Removal of any polyps in rectum and lower colon*
Special diet and bowel prep required
Quick, safe and does not require sedation
Can miss small polyps
EVERY 10 YEARS
Colonoscopy
Removal of any polyps in rectum and lower colon*
Special diet and bowel prep required
Sedation is likely; will need a ride home
Best test for preventing colorectal cancer

 

Talk to your doctor today to decide which test is right for you.

 

*If polyps are found and removed, charges may apply.

Cologuard is a registered trademark of Exact Sciences Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

The information provided by Aetna® health and wellness programs is general in nature. It is not meant to replace the advice or care you get from your doctor or other health professional. If you have specific health care needs or would like more complete health information, please see your doctor or other health care provider.

1 https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-and-b-recommendations