Our approach to colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, but it's also one of the most preventable. A test for colorectal cancer can find it early, when treatment can be more successful. That's why it's so important to get screened, especially if you're over 45 or have a family history of the disease.

We offer several colon cancer screening tests for you to choose from. Which one is the best? The one you actually take. Talk to your doctor about which screening option is right for you.

We offer three screening types: two at-home screenings and colonoscopy. Certain risk factors* or your family history may dictate which test you'll need. Your doctor can help determine which option is right for you.

*To be eligible for at-home screening, you must have no history of polyps, no family history and no active symptoms (including rectal bleeding, blood in stool or frequent changes in bowel habits).

Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) vial

A non-invasive, at-home test for which you collect a stool sample, FIT vial testing is done every year and involves:

• no bowel preparation 
• 73.8 percent accuracy 
• possible false-positive result
• positive test requires a follow-up diagnostic colonoscopy 

Most insurances cover FIT vial. 

FIT DNA (Cologuard)

Also a non-invasive, at-home stool-based test, this test checks your stool sample for DNA markers and blood or other abnormalities associated with colon cancer.

FIT DNA testing is done every one to three years and involves:

• no bowel preparation 
• 92 percent accuracy 
• highest false-positive rate
• positive test requires a follow-up diagnostic colonoscopy 

Most insurances cover Cologuard screenings.

Colonoscopy

The gold standard of screening and WellSpan's preferred method, a colonoscopy is a procedure where a camera is inserted into the rectum to examine the entire colon and remove any polyps that are found.

A colonoscopy may be done every 10 years and involves:

• invasive, out-patient procedure
• bowel prepping
• needing assistance getting home
• 98 percent accuracy
• removal of polyps (growths that can turn into cancer), which may prevent future cancer

Most insurances cover a screening colonoscopy.

Talk to your doctor to see if a colonoscopy is right for you. If you're due for one, contact WellSpan Digestive Health to schedule your appointment.

We're here to help you stay healthy and prevent colon cancer. We have multiple locations throughout South-Central Pennsylvania, making it easy to find a convenient location for your colonoscopy screening.