
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and women, commonly found in people over age 50. If detected early, colorectal cancer is often curable. See risk factors.
Medicare covers the following preventive services for colorectal cancer:
| Screening | How often? |
| Fecal Occult Blood Test | Once every 12 months |
| Flexible Sigmoidoscopy | Once every 48 months |
| Screening Colonoscopy | Once every 24 months (if you're at high risk); once every 10 years, but not within 48 months of a screening sigmoidoscopy (if you're not at high risk) |
| Barium Enema | Your doctor can decide to use this test instead of a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. This test is covered every 24 months if you are at high risk for colorectal cancer and every 48 months if you aren't at high risk. |
Web-based Resources
- American Cancer Society (ACS) – All About Colon and Rectal Cancer
- Medicare Colon Cancer Screening (Colorectal) Preventive Services Overview
- Medline Plus – Colorectal Cancer
- National Cancer Institute (NCI) – Colon and Rectal Cancer
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