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screening
Colorectal Cancer Can Start With No Symptoms
People who have polyps or colorectal cancer sometimes
don't have symptoms, especially at first. This means that
someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know
it. That is why having a screening test is so important.
What are the Symptoms?
Some people with colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer
do have symptoms. They may include:
- Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
- Pain, aches, or cramps in your stomach that happen a
lot and you don't know why.
- A change in bowel habits, such as having stools that
are narrower than usual.
- Losing weight and you don't know why.
If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor.
These symptoms may also be caused by something other than
cancer. However, the only way to know what is causing them
is to see your doctor.
What are my screening options?
Screening
Test: Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
Frequency/ Cost Estimate :
Once a year starting at 50. $10-$25* (If blood
is found, follow-up testing is needed.)
Purpose: Detects blood in stool from polyps, cancer, or
causes unrelated to cancer.
Important Considerations:
You receive the test kit from your doctor or
health care provider and do the test yourself at
home.Your doctor will probably recommend that you
avoid some foods and medicines before and until
stool samples are collected.
Covered by Insurance/ Medicate?
Insurance: Many plans cover.
Medicare: Covers annually starting at age 50
for people with Medicare. You pay no co-insurance or
Part B deductible. |
Screening
Test : Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (Flex Sig)
Frequency/ Cost Estimate:
Once every 5 years starting at 50.$150-$300* (If
polyps or lesions are found, follow-up testing is
needed.)
Purpose :
Doctor sees lining of rectum and lower part of
colon. Tissue samples of polyps and cancers can be
taken.
Important Considerations :
Provides direct view of rectum and lower colon
where half of colorectal cancers occur, but cannot
view entire colon.
Before the test, your doctor will recommend that you
restrict your diet and use laxatives and/or enemas
to clean out your colon and rectum.
You may feel discomfort during or after exam.
Very slight risk of perforation, infection,
bleeding.
Covered by Insurance/ Medicate?
Insurance: Many plans cover every 4-5 years,
beginning at age 50.
Medicare: Covers once every 4 years. You pay
20% of Medicare-approved amount after Part B
deductible. |
Screening
Test: Combination: FOBT and Flex Sig
Frequency/ Cost Estimate :
FOBT annually and Flex Sig every 5 years
starting at 50.
Purpose:
See above.
Important Considerations:
Combination of tests may increase the chance of
finding polyps and early cancers.
Covered by Insurance/ Medicate?
See above. |
Screening
Test: Colonoscopy
Frequency/ Cost Estimate :
Once every 10 years starting at 50 for people
with no family or personal history of polyps and no
symptoms. $800-$1600*
(Colonoscopy is usually recommended as a
follow-up test if any of the other screening tests
are abnormal.)
Purpose:
Doctor sees lining of entire rectum and colon.
Tissue samples of polyps and cancers can be taken.
Most polyps can be removed during the test.
Important Considerations:
Provides direct view of rectum and entire colon.
Before the test, your doctor will recommend that
you restrict your diet and use laxatives and/or
enemas to clean out your colon and rectum.
You may feel discomfort during or after exam.
You're given medication to help make the exam more
comfortable for you and are advised not to drive or
work on the day of the exam.
Slight risk of perforation, infection, bleeding.
Covered by Insurance/ Medicate?
Insurance: Coverage is variable when
colonoscopy is used for screening. If it's needed
for a follow-up test or diagnosing a problem, most
plans cover. Check with your plan.
Medicare: Covers average-risk patients
every 10 years. You pay 20% of approved amount after
Part B deductible. Also covers high-risk patients
every 2 years and those needing a follow-up test
after FOBT or flex sig. Check with Medicare for
details. |
Screening
Test: Double Contrast Barium Enema
Frequency/ Cost Estimate :
Once every 5-10 years starting at 50.
$250-$500*
(If polyps or lesions are found, follow-up testing
is needed.)
Purpose:
Doctor sees x-ray image of entire colon. May be
able to detect polyps and cancers.
Important Considerations:
Allows doctor to see outline of the colon on an
x-ray.
Before the test, your doctor will recommend that you
restrict your diet and use laxatives and/or enemas
to clean out your colon and rectum.
You may feel discomfort during or after exam.
Slight risk of perforation.
Covered by Insurance/ Medicate?
Insurance: Many plans cover. Check with your
plan.
Medicare: Sometimes can be substituted for
colonoscopy. Check with Medicare for details. |
*Cost estimates are listed to show the typical range of
rates for each test and may not include the costs of all
related services.
| Want
to read more about Colorectal Cancer Screening?
Click to
download
a PDF format brochure from the CDC. (You will need
Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file.) |
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