Colorectal Cancer Screening

Staying healthy matters. It is important to continue routine screening as directed by your doctor.

Don’t delay. Schedule a screening with your doctor today. Regular preventive screenings are covered by Florida Blue plans. Log in at Find a Doctor and More or call 800-352-2583 to learn more about your benefits.

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a form of cancer that can grow uncontrollably in your colon or rectum. Because you can’t directly see your colon or rectum, screenings are incredibly important and early treatment of colorectal cancer can lead to a 90 percent survival rate after five years.¹ The recommended age to begin your screening is age 45.

What are some of the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Change in bowel movements
Rectal bleeding w/ bright red blood
Blood in stool, making it look dark brown or black
Cramping or abdominal pain
Unintended weight loss

What are the risk factors of colorectal cancer²?

Overweight or obese
Family History of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
Not physically active
Lynch Syndrome
Diets high in red meat or processed meat
Type 2 diabetes
Smoking
African American, if residing in the US
Extensive alcohol use
Jews of Eastern European descent
Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

What are some tips to help prepare for a colonoscopy?

You’ve made the important decision to get a colonoscopy. Now what? Preparing for the screening can seem overwhelming. Be sure to follow your physician’s recommendations* for colonoscopy prep. Here are some tips that may help with the prep phase.

Find low-fiber foods you enjoy and eat those 3-5 days before prep day.
- Makes the “clean-out” phase more comfortable.
Try to stay home during the prep period.
Drink the laxative cold and break it up.
- You don’t have to drink the entire solution all at once.
- You can break it up into chunks, 8oz every 15 minutes.
- Use a straw.
- Flavor the laxative with Gatorade or Crystal Light.
Use wet wipes to aid in cleanup.
Have a book or phone charger near the bathroom.
On the day prior to the colonoscopy, stick to a “liquid” diet.
- Avoid liquids with colored dyes specifically red, purple, blue, and orange.
- Popsicles and gummy bears are fun “solid” treats, and again avoid dyes.
Drink electrolytes to help rehydrate.

* Always follow the instructions given by your own physician. If you have questions about preparing for your colonoscopy, consult your physician.

What are the colorectal cancer screening options?

Colonoscopy:

Pros:	Cons:
Gold standard of screening Complete this at an outpatient or specialists’ facility Can remove precancerous cells Only needs to be completed once every 10 years, or more, if your doctor considers you high risk	Requires bowel prep and fasting Requires sedation May need to coordinate a ride home May need to miss a day of work

Fit Kit:

Pros:	Cons:
Complete this at home per your doctor’s recommendation Inexpensive It takes less than five minutes to collect the sample No preparation needed No sedation necessary No fasting or special diet required	May require a follow-up colonoscopy Needs to be done every year Can have false-positives or miss polyps and some cancers

FOBT Test:

Pros:	Cons:
Complete once a year Inexpensive No sedation necessary

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy:

Pros:	Cons:
No sedation necessary Quicker than a colonoscopy	Requires bowel prep and fasting Not as widely used as a colonoscopy Not as accurate as a colonoscopy May require a follow-up colonoscopy Can’t remove all polyps

¹https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/measures/colorectal-cancer-screening/

²https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/

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