Type of test
Take care of you
Know your options for colon cancer screening
Did you know that March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month? Getting screened regularly is one of the best ways to prevent colon cancer. A screening can help find cancer even if you have no symptoms. And a colonoscopy isn’t the only test available. There are some you can do at home.
Aetna® covers colorectal cancer screenings at no extra cost for most members 45+ when you see a doctor in your network.
You may not have a family history of colon cancer. Even so, you should get a screening starting at 45 years old.* If you’re African American, you may be at greater risk. Talk to your doctor about when to start getting screened for colon cancer.
Prepare and prevent
You may be eligible for any of these preventive screening tests at no cost with an in-network provider. Talk to your doctor today to decide which test is right for you.
|
|
What it detects |
Testing details |
How often |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT) |
Detects hidden blood in the stool |
Done at home
For FIT: no prep required
For gFOBT: some prep required
Risk-free
If positive, colonoscopy is recommended |
Every year |
|
Cologuard® stool DNA test |
Detects altered DNA and blood in the stool
Detects cancer and precancerous cells |
Done at home
No prep required
Detects cancer and precancerous cells
Can at times return false-positive or false-negative results
If positive, colonoscopy is recommended |
Every 3 years |
|
Flexible sigmoidoscopy |
Looks inside rectum and lower colon; removes any polyps*
Detects cancer and precancerous cells |
Performed by medical professional
Special diet and bowel prep required
Quick, safe and does not require sedation
Can miss small polyps |
Every 5 years |
|
Colonoscopy |
Looks at your entire bowel; removes any polyps in rectum and lower colon*
Detects cancer and precancerous cells |
Performed by medical professional
Special diet and bowel prep required
Sedation is likely; will need a ride home
Best test for preventing colorectal cancer |
Every 10 years |
Type of test |
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT) |
|---|---|
What it detects |
Detects hidden blood in the stool |
Testing details |
Done at home
For FIT: no prep required
For gFOBT: some prep required
Risk-free
If positive, colonoscopy is recommended |
How often |
Every year |
Type of test |
Cologuard® stool DNA test |
What it detects |
Detects altered DNA and blood in the stool
Detects cancer and precancerous cells |
Testing details |
Done at home
No prep required
Detects cancer and precancerous cells
Can at times return false-positive or false-negative results
If positive, colonoscopy is recommended |
How often |
Every 3 years |
Type of test |
Flexible sigmoidoscopy |
What it detects |
Looks inside rectum and lower colon; removes any polyps*
Detects cancer and precancerous cells |
Testing details |
Performed by medical professional
Special diet and bowel prep required
Quick, safe and does not require sedation
Can miss small polyps |
How often |
Every 5 years |
Type of test |
Colonoscopy |
What it detects |
Looks at your entire bowel; removes any polyps in rectum and lower colon*
Detects cancer and precancerous cells |
Testing details |
Performed by medical professional
Special diet and bowel prep required
Sedation is likely; will need a ride home
Best test for preventing colorectal cancer |
How often |
Every 10 years |
*FOR SCREENING AGE SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What Should I Know About Screening? Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 23, 2023. Accessed March 13, 2023.
*FOR POLYP REMOVAL: If polyps are found and removed, charges may apply.
Our Cancer Support Center is here to support you.
Legal notices
Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).
Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations.
Cologuard is a registered trademark of Exact Sciences Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.