Colorectal Cancer Screening and You

March 2, 2026

Did you know 1 in 24 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer?

For Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the NYCDCCBF is sharing information and screening guidelines from our partners at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) is an in-network provider for NYCDCC Welfare Fund participants with coverage through either Independence Administrators and/or UnitedHealthcare.

Screening Guidelines

MSK recommends that people at average risk for colorectal cancer start getting screened at age 45. You’re at average risk if you’re 45 and older and have:

• No symptoms
• Never had colorectal cancer, and your close family members have never had the disease
• Never had polyps in your colon or rectum
• Never had inflammatory bowel disease

You are at higher risk for colorectal cancer if you:

• Are age 45 or older
• Have had precancer polyps on a screening test
• Have inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Have a close blood relative who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer before they were age 50
• Have a family history of other cancers, such as stomach, urinary tract, pancreatic, uterine, or brain cancer
• Are overweight or obese

Your race can also play a role in your risk of getting colorectal cancer. In the United States, colorectal cancers affect the Black community at a higher rate than any other race.

Screening Tests for Colorectal Cancer

What are the screening tests for colorectal cancer? There are many screening tests for colorectal cancer. The 2 most common are:

• A colonoscopy
• a fecal immunochemical test (FIT)

MSK recommends getting a colonoscopy. It can both find and prevent cancer. This procedure lets your doctor find and remove any polyps from the lining of your colon or rectum. Polyps can become cancer. A FIT checks for blood in your stool, a possible sign of cancer.

A FIT is easy to do at home. You mail back your FIT for testing. But stool tests can’t find or remove polyps. Depending on the stool test result, your healthcare provider may recommend a colonoscopy.

Additional Resources & MSK Direct

You can learn more about colorectal cancer by visiting https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-conditions/colorectal-cancer

Reminder: the NYCDCC Welfare Fund has a partnership with MSK Direct to provide members and their families the highest-quality cancer programs and services, virtually or in-person, to help navigate your unique journey of screening and prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and life beyond cancer.

If you or a family member are impacted by cancer and would like to discuss treatment options at MSK, call the dedicated MSK Direct phone line for NYCDCC participants and dependents at (844) 386-3368 or visit www.mskcc.org/nycdcc.