Colon Cancer Screening: Discover What’s Available & How to Catch it Early

Reviewed by Eugene Huang, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Wheelhouse

Colon cancer is extremely prevalent in the United States. The American Cancer Society reports that “excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States.”

Colorectal cancer is the term combining colon and rectal cancer because they have similar features (ACS).

Since colon cancer can be caught early through various cancer screenings, it’s important to know your options and stay on top of regular screening if you are within the recommended age or have predispositions.

However, it may be confusing to know what’s best for you with so many options. Let’s review key information and and where you can find additional help.

What is colon cancer?

Another name for the colon is the large intestine. It functions as part of the body’s gastrointestinal system that moves food from the small intestine to out of the body. Colon cancer develops when colon cells grow out of control.

What are the early warning signs of colon cancer?

Early stages of this cancer may not have any symptoms.

Colon polyps can be an early sign of colon cancer. The polyps themselves are not automatically cancer, but they can develop into cancer (WebMD). When detected in screenings (more info below), having them removed can prevent colon cancer from developing.

If a polyp grows into a tumor, OncoLink reports that the following symptoms could occur:

• Bleeding from the rectum.
• Blood in the stool or toilet after a bowel movement.
• A change in the shape of the stool, such as thinning.
• Cramping pain in the abdomen.
• Feeling the need to have a bowel movement when you don’t actually have to.

What are the risk factors for colon cancer?

According to OncoLink, the following are risk factors:

• Personal or family history of colon cancer, polyps, or inherited colon cancer syndromes (such as FAP and HNPCC / Lynch Syndrome).
• History of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
• Lifestyle factors such as a diet high in fat and red meat and low in fruits and vegetables, high caloric intake, inactivity, and obesity.
• African American background.

What screenings are available to help find colon cancer early?

Routine screening can prevent colon cancer. Two types of screenings exist:

1. Visual
   1. Colonoscopy ever 10 years
   2. CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
   3. Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG) every 5 years
2.  Stool-based
   1. Highly sensitive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year
   2. Highly sensitive guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) every year
   3. Multi-targeted stool DNA (mt-sDNA) every 3 years

Who should get screened for colon cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society:

• People 45 and older should be screened with a stool-based or visual screening.
• Continue screening regularly if you are in good health and expected to live 10 years longer up to the age of 75
• People aged 76-85 should make a decision for screening based upon a person’s preferences, life expectancy, overall health, prior screening history, and recommendation from primary care physician
• People over 85 should not be screened

Always talk to your primary care physician to know when and which screening is best for you. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor questions specific to your family history or your body. You are the best advocate for your health!

Will health insurance cover colon cancer screening?

First, the most reliable way to determine if your health insurance covers colon cancer screening is to contact them directly. Before choosing your screening, ask your insurance company specifically how much (if anything) you should expect to pay for it. Ask if this amount could change based on what’s found during the test. This can help you avoid surprise costs and help you to prepare for the costs. If you do have large bills afterward, you may be able to appeal the insurance company’s decision.

The Affordable Care Act’s Impact on Screening

The Affordable Care Act requires both private insurance (for plans that started on or after September 23, 2010) and Medicare to pay for colorectal screening (ACS).

What if I have an abnormal screening or if I’m diagnosed with colon cancer?

Follow through with the additional tests your provider issues and stay the course through treatment.

Having cancer is scary, but you can be in charge of your medical journey, and you shouldn’t have to walk this road alone.

Wheelhouse members should call 1-833-864-0911 to immediately begin using their cancer benefits. Whether it’s a cancer scare or a confirmed diagnosis, you have a compassionate team of experts ready to help with insurance benefits advocacy, cancer-specific mental & emotional health coaching, and cancer nurse navigation.

Not a Wheelhouse member? Here are some options:

1. Explore the resources Wheelhouse offers cancer patients from diagnosis through survivorship on our website.
2. Contact us at wheelhousecares.com/contact to see what’s available for you.
3. Share with your employer’s HR team how Wheelhouse cancer benefits could impact your cancer journey. We work side-by-side with employers to offer these benefits, often making Wheelhouse support available at no additional cost for employees.