A Colorectal Screening Saved My Life
Deborah’s screening found a colon cancer that required surgery then three months of chemotherapy. Now she’s cancer free.
Colorectal cancer is often curable when detected early. Colorectal cancer screening helps us find cancer before it causes symptoms or spreads to other areas of your body. This is when treatment is most effective. At Henry Ford Health, you’ll find the latest colorectal cancer screening tools and an experienced team.
Henry Ford has one of the oldest and most respected colorectal cancer programs in Michigan. People in Detroit and throughout Michigan turn to us for colorectal screening because we offer:
Cancer screenings are tests you have regularly to catch cancer early. Screening looks for cancer before symptoms appear. Diagnostic tests check you after symptoms appear or evaluate problems we detected during screening. Colorectal cancer screening checks for signs of cancer in your colon, rectum or anus.
Screening tests look for different signs, such as:
Polyps are the most common sign of colon cancer, rectal cancer and anal cancer. Polyps can be harmless (benign), precancerous (may turn into cancer) or cancerous. We can often remove polyps during a colonoscopy, the most common colorectal cancer screening test. We test the polyps to find out if they’re cancerous.
Deborah’s screening found a colon cancer that required surgery then three months of chemotherapy. Now she’s cancer free.
Colorectal cancer screening is the best means to catch pre-cancerous polyps and diagnose colon cancer at its earliest stage, when it’s treatable and curable.
Our cancer experts recommend colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45 and continuing until age 75 for those with an average risk. If you are at an increased risk for colorectal cancer, start screening at age 40 or as recommended by your doctor.
You’re at an increased risk of colorectal cancer if you have:
At Henry Ford, we recommend the screening test that’s right for your age, health and risk level. While a colonoscopy is the most common colorectal cancer screening test, it may not be right for everyone. Our personalized approach means you always receive the best test for your needs.
The two main types of colorectal cancer screening tests are:
Many people wonder about the differences between a colonoscopy and an at-home colorectal cancer test. At-home tests are less invasive and more convenient, but they’re less accurate than colonoscopies. You also need at-home testing more often (every one to three years), while you only need a colonoscopy every 10 years if you’re at an average risk. Learn more about at-home alternatives to colonoscopy.
Learn more about the screening options for colorectal cancer and decide if an at-home test is right for you.
Talk to your doctor about your colorectal cancer risk and your screening options. To make an appointment for your colonoscopy or to talk with your doctor about your risk, call (800) 436-7936.
Polyps are abnormal growths in the colon that may turn into cancer if left untreated. Polyps can:
When doctors find polyps during colonoscopy, they often remove them immediately. This approach can decrease your risk of colon cancer.
Physicians may use one of two techniques to remove polyps. They can:
Your doctor will send the polyps to a pathology lab for more testing. It can take about a week to receive the results. If your doctor finds polyps during your colonoscopy, you may need further tests for an accurate diagnosis.
Although most people who are diagnosed with colon cancer are older than age 40, some patients are younger. We may recommend genetic counseling for these younger patients and their family members.
If you may be at risk for an inherited cancer, we’ll work with you and our genetics team to recommend next steps. And, we’ll help you and your family members navigate any additional screening or care you may need.
We use cookies to improve your website experience. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. Read our Internet Privacy Statement to learn what information we collect and how we use it.