The best screening test is the one that gets done.
If Damon’s cancer had been found before it spread, his journey could have looked very different. That’s why this page exists.
Don’t Wait for Symptoms
One of the hardest lessons our family learned is that symptoms can be easy to dismiss – until they aren’t.
For years, Damon experienced rectal bleeding. He mentioned it at every annual appointment and was repeatedly told it was hemorrhoids. He even asked about a colonoscopy before turning 45 but was told to wait.
By the time he had that screening, his cancer had already spread to his liver.
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait. Don’t assume. Don’t let anyone dismiss your concerns.
You know your body better than anyone else.
Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider, even if you’re younger than 45.
- Blood in your stool or rectal bleeding
- A change in bowel habits that lasts more than a few weeks
- Persistent diarrhea or constipation
- Narrow or pencil-thin stools
- Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating
- A feeling that your bowel doesn’t completely empty
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue or weakness
- Iron-deficiency anemia
These symptoms don’t always mean cancer, but they always deserve an explanation.
Early Detection Changes Everything
The earlier colorectal cancer is found, the better the chance of successful treatment.
Screening Starts at 45 for Most Adults
If you’re at average risk:
- Ages 45–75: Get screened regularly.
- Ages 76–85: Talk with your doctor about whether screening is still appropriate.
If you’re at higher risk – because of family history, inflammatory bowel disease, certain genetic conditions, or a personal history of polyps – you may need to start screening earlier and be screened more often. Talk with your healthcare provider.
Your Screening Options
Remember: the best test is the one that gets done.
Colonoscopy (Recommended)
- Every 10 years
- Finds and removes precancerous polyps during the same procedure
- Considered the gold standard
FIT Test
- Once every year
- Completed at home
- Detects hidden blood in the stool
Stool DNA Test (Cologuard®) or Stool RNA Test (ColoSense®)
- Every 3 years
- Completed at home
- If positive, you’ll need a colonoscopy
CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)
- Every 5 years
- Uses CT imaging
- Requires bowel prep
Blood Test (Shield®)
- An option for people who decline other screening methods
- Less effective at finding precancerous polyps than colonoscopy or stool-based tests
Any positive non-invasive screening test should always be followed by a diagnostic colonoscopy.
Advocate for Yourself
You know your body.
If something feels wrong, keep asking questions.
If symptoms continue, ask again.
If you’re told it’s “probably nothing,” but your instincts tell you otherwise, speak up.
One piece of advice we’d give every patient:
Take pictures.
When Damon described his bleeding, no one ever asked to see it.
What one person thinks is “a little blood” may be very different from what a doctor imagines.
Photos, dates, frequency, and details give your doctor better information and can help move the conversation forward.
Don’t be afraid to say:
- “Can you explain why you don’t think this needs further evaluation?”
- “Should I have a colonoscopy?”
- “What else could be causing these symptoms?”
- “I’d like this documented in my chart.”
You are your own best advocate.
Don’t put it off.
You’ll never regret getting screened.
But many people regret waiting.
Get screened. Encourage someone you love to do the same. It could save a life.
