Colorectal Cancer Screening: Start at 45

Colorectal Cancer Screening in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in the U.S. — but it’s also one of the most preventable. Screening can find small growths (polyps) and remove them before they ever turn into cancer, and it can catch cancer early when it’s most treatable. Current guidelines now recommend that most people begin screening at age 45 — and getting screened is easier than many Grand Rapids residents expect.

Who should be screened, and when

• Average-risk adults: start at age 45 and continue through 75 (talk with your doctor about screening between 76 and 85).
• Higher risk — start earlier and screen more often if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis), or certain genetic syndromes. Ask your primary care doctor what’s right for you.

Don’t wait for symptoms. Many early colorectal cancers cause no symptoms at all — which is exactly why screening matters.

Your screening options

There’s more than one way to get screened, and the best test is the one you’ll actually do:

• Colonoscopy (usually every 10 years) — examines the entire colon and can remove polyps during the same procedure.
• Stool-based tests you can do at home:
  • FIT (fecal immunochemical test) — every year
  • Stool-DNA test (such as Cologuard) — every 1–3 years
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) — every 5 years

Important: if a home or imaging test comes back positive, you’ll need a follow-up colonoscopy to complete the screening. Talk with your primary care doctor about which option fits you.

Don’t ignore symptoms

See a doctor promptly — at any age — if you notice:

• Blood in or on your stool, or rectal bleeding
• A lasting change in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation)
• Stomach pain, cramps, or bloating that won’t go away
• Unexplained weight loss
• Ongoing fatigue or low blood count (anemia)

Getting screened in Grand Rapids

Start with your primary care doctor, who can recommend a test and place referrals. Screening is available through Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and University of Michigan Health-West, and low-cost options for the uninsured are available through Cherry Health and the Kent County Health Department. Most insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare cover recommended colorectal screening — ask about your coverage.