Get screened. Talk about it.
Screening for colorectal cancer can save your life. Talking about it can save the life of someone you know.
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. In Oregon, it is the fourth most common type of cancer diagnosed and the fourth leading cause of cancer death.¹ But it doesn’t have to be.
How screening
helps
Screening can prevent colorectal cancer by finding and removing growths (called polyps) before they become cancer. It can also find colorectal cancer early when it is easier to treat.
Talk about it – and save lives
People are more likely to get screened if they’re encouraged by someone they know and trust.
So, talk with your doctor or healthcare provider about getting screened. It could save your life. Then, share your story. Talk about screening with family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. It could save the life of someone you know.
When should you get screened?
If you are 45 or older, talk with your healthcare provider about getting screened.² Colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms until after it has grown or spread. That's why it is best to get screened before you have any symptoms, when the cancer is often easier to treat.
Some people are at higher risk
Some people are more at risk than others. They may need to begin screening younger than 45. You should talk with your healthcare provider about getting screened if you are younger than 45 and:
have a personal or family history of colorectal or other types of cancers OR
have a genetic condition such as Lynch syndrome
If you’re having symptoms
Some people may need screening or other tests if they are having symptoms of colorectal cancer. If you have any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor or healthcare provider right away.
Common signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer
From the American Cancer Society:
a change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
a feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that’s not relieved by having one
rectal bleeding with bright red blood
blood in the stool, which might make the stool look dark brown or black
cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
weakness and fatigue
unintended weight loss
What are my screening options?
There are many reliable ways to screen for colorectal cancer, including simple tests that can be done at home. Many options are free and covered by insurance.
This chart explains:
different kinds of tests to screen for colorectal cancer
how you complete each test
how often you need to repeat each test
other things to consider
Get screened. It could save your life!
FAQs: screening options, insurance, and costs
Click to expand the questions below for information about reliable ways to get screened, how to talk with your doctor, and costs and insurance coverage for screening.
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Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider about when you need to start screening for colorectal cancer. Discuss which screening option is best for you.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best screening option for you will depend on:
the type of test you prefer
what medical conditions you have
family or personal history of colorectal growths (polyps) or cancer
what genetic conditions you may have
your access to testing and follow-up
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If you have private insurance or insurance from your employer, use the “find a provider” tool on your insurance company’s website, or speak with your primary care doctor to identify a way to get screened.
If you have Medicare, use Medicare’s Find a Provider website.
If you are on the Oregon Health Plan (Oregon Medicaid): Find a doctor at the Oregon Health Authority’s Finding the Right Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Provider Page.
If you do not have insurance or a doctor: See the Insurance and cost section below.
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With few exceptions, all health insurance plans must cover colorectal cancer screening by law. There is no cost to plan members if members get the screening from an in-network provider. (See the Preventative Care page at Oregon.gov for more information.)
This means that many (but not all) screening options for colorectal cancer are covered by insurance. If you have insurance and choose a covered screening option, you should not need to pay co-insurance, co-pays, or deductibles.
It is important to make sure that the screening you and your doctor decide is right for you is covered by insurance and that you confirm co-insurance, co-pay, and deductible amounts before you get screened.
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Is my doctor in-network?
What will be my out-of-pocket costs for each colorectal cancer screening option?
Do these costs differ based on the location of the screening?
How often can I have each type of screening covered by my insurance?
Are there other costs I should know about before selecting my screening option?
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Some people who don’t have health insurance worry they won’t be able to afford the medical services they need. The Oregon Health Plan (OHP) helps low-income people living in Oregon get healthcare insurance. Many Community Health Centers throughout our state welcome OHP members and individuals who do not have health insurance. There are approximately 270 Community Health Center locations in Oregon. This link will help you find a clinic in your area.
There are clinics in Oregon that serve people without health insurance. Community Health Centers may be able to help you identify them.
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For more information about the Oregon Health Plan, or to learn about other low-cost options, visit the Health coverage in Oregon webpage. Learn about:
resources for getting insurance coverage
(See section “How to get health insurance in Oregon” for information in English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Vietnamese)
Some Community Health Center locations have people who can help you with your application.
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Even if you are uninsured, it’s still important to talk with a doctor or healthcare provider about colorectal cancer screening. You can ask them about free or low-cost options for colon cancer screening.
This data is reported from the 2020 age-adjusted cancer incidence rate from the Oregon State Cancer Registry and 2022 age-adjusted Oregon Death Certificate data. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention United States Cancer Statistics: Data Visualization page, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer site diagnosed by rate and the fourth most common cause of all cancer deaths by rate. Other sources may use other methods of data reporting which can change this ranking. For instance, some sources use counts, not rates, which reflect that colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of all cancer deaths. Data can be reported in many ways, and none of the examples above are incorrect.
These screening recommendations come from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Cancer Society.