Colorectal cancer screening questions and answers

Screening for colorectal cancer works in two ways:

• By finding cancer early when treatment is most effective
• By finding growths (polyps) inside the colon and removing them before they become cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only one in three adults who need to be screened are actually doing it. 

Why so few? There are many reasons, including:

• Concern about insurance coverage and paying for the test
• Fears about the test or the prep for the exam
• A primary care doctor hasn’t suggested it (Be your own advocate! Know your options!)
• Too busy/don’t think they have time

Polyps are growths that may turn into colorectal cancer over time. While not every polyp turns to cancer, it is difficult to know which ones will. 

Almost every colorectal cancer begins as a small non-cancerous polyp.

The good news is that during colonoscopy, these polyps can be identified and removed, preventing a possible colorectal cancer diagnosis.

If a polyp is large enough, tissue can be taken and sent for biopsy to determine the exact type of polyp.

Not all polyps are created equal.

There are four types of polyps that commonly occur within the colon and rectum:

• Inflammatory: Inflammatory polyps are most often found in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Often called "pseudopolyps" (false polyps), they are not true polyps, but just a reaction to chronic inflammation of the colon wall. They are not the type that turns to cancer. They are usually biopsied to verify type.
• Hyperplastic: Hyperplastic polyps are common, usually very small, and often found in the rectum. They are considered to be low risk for cancer.
• Tubular adenoma or adenomatous polyps: These are the most common type of polyp and are the ones referred to most often when a doctor speaks of colon or rectal polyps; about 70% of polyps removed are of this type. Adenomas carry a definite cancer risk that rises as the polyp grows larger. Patients with a history of adenomatous polyps must be periodically reexamined.
• Villous adenoma or tubulovillous adenomas: Villous and tubulovillous adenomas polyps account for about 15% of the polyps that are removed. These are the most serious type of polyps with a very high cancer risk as they grow larger.

We’re glad you asked! Although colonoscopy is the most well-known test, you have many options when it comes to getting checked. Visit our Screening Methods page and talk to your doctor about finding the test that’s right for you.

It’s important to be aware that under the Affordable Care Act, screening colonoscopies are covered as a preventative measure for average risk populations with insurance.

We recommend talking to your doctor, insurance provider or local gastroenterologist to learn more about your coverage and financial assistance options they may have.

Our Financial Resources Guide also includes references to help you find federally-funded or low-cost screening resources if you are uninsured.

If you're unable to pay for a screening test, check out our Financial Assistance Programs.

Visit our Patient & Family Support resource page to find screening facilities or surgeons in your area.

If you have questions about specific screening tests, who should be screened and when, or anything else related to colon cancer screening, we encourage you talk with your doctor or call our toll-free Helpline at (877) 422-2030.