A Life-Saving Colorectal Cancer Screening
At 45, Brooke had her first routine colorectal cancer screening. It caught her colon cancer early, before it could spread.
Colon Cancer Doesn't Wait, Neither Should You.
Colorectal cancer is often curable when detected early. Colorectal cancer screening helps us find cancer before it causes symptoms or spreads to other areas of your body. This is when treatment is most effective. At Henry Ford Health, you’ll find the latest colorectal cancer screening tools and an experienced team.
Get Screened
Get started with your screening today.
Contact the cancer screening team or call (800) 436-7936 for scheduling in Detroit or Wyandotte.
For Rochester scheduling, call (586) 226-6120.
Colorectal screening guidelines
Our cancer experts recommend colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45 and continuing until age 75 for those with an average risk. If you are at an increased risk for colorectal cancer, start screening at age 40 or as recommended by your doctor.
Screening tests look for different signs, such as:
- Hidden blood in your stool
- Abnormal sections of DNA in your cells
- Clusters of abnormal cells called polyps
Polyps are the most common sign of colon cancer, rectal cancer and anal cancer. Polyps can be harmless (benign), precancerous (may turn into cancer) or cancerous. We can often remove polyps during a colonoscopy, the most common colorectal cancer screening test. We test the polyps to find out if they’re cancerous.
Why choose Henry Ford for colorectal screening?
Henry Ford has one of the oldest and most respected colorectal cancer programs in Michigan. People in Detroit and beyond turn to us for colorectal screening because we offer:
- Convenient access: It’s easy to request a colorectal cancer screening appointment. We help you find the screening location that’s most convenient for you. And our open-access colonoscopy program means you may get a test without first seeing a gastroenterologist.
- Experienced team: The board-certified gastroenterologists on our colonoscopy team have extensive experience performing and interpreting colorectal cancer screening tests. They can spot and remove abnormal growths early, which may prevent colorectal cancer.
- Continuum of care: If we find cancer during screening, we guide you through the next steps. We offer all the diagnostic procedures, treatments and support services you need.
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Colorectal cancer screening options
At Henry Ford, we recommend the screening test that’s right for your age, health and risk level. While a colonoscopy is the most common colorectal cancer screening test, it may not be right for everyone. Our personalized approach means you always receive the best test for your needs.
The two main types of colorectal cancer screening tests are:
- Stool-based tests: Stool tests for colon cancer check for hidden blood in your stool or cells with abnormal DNA changes. Stool tests, such as Cologuard®, are usually at-home tests. You collect a stool sample and send it to the lab. If you get an abnormal result from a stool test, you’ll need a visual exam such as a colonoscopy. Stool tests might be appropriate for people not healthy enough for a colonoscopy.
- Visual tests: Visual tests, such as a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy, examine your colon and rectum. Your doctor inserts a scope (flexible tube) into your anus to look for polyps. A virtual colonoscopy uses X-rays and CT scans instead of a scope to examine your large intestine. You may get a virtual colonoscopy if you can’t have the sedation necessary for a standard colonoscopy.
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Colonoscopy versus at-home colon cancer tests
Many people wonder about the differences between a colonoscopy and an at-home colorectal cancer test. At-home tests are less invasive and more convenient, but they’re less accurate than colonoscopies. You also need at-home testing more often (every one to three years), while you only need a colonoscopy every 10 years if you’re at an average risk. Learn more about at-home alternatives to colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy At-home colon screening Colonoscopy versus at-home tests Preparation required
No preparation required Most sensitive test — considered gold standard — for colon cancer screening Less sensitive than a colonoscopy at detecting pre-cancerous polyps Polyps can be removed during the screening exam Not recommended if family history of colon cancer, previous cancer, or colon/rectum disease If polyps are found, the doctor informs immediately after screening
Polyps will not be removed
Receive results in three days or less
Receive results up to two weeks later
Recommended repeat testing on the normal test is every 10 years
Recommended repeat testing every one to three years
At-home test misses one out of 13 people with cancer that would be detectable by colonoscopy
Results do not confirm whether cancer is present
If cancer is detected, a colonoscopy is needed to confirm the results and remove polyps
At-Home Alternatives to Colonoscopy
Learn more about the screening options for colorectal cancer and decide if an at-home test is right for you.
