As new colorectal cancer screening guidance draws attention to the growing number of testing options, the American Gastroenterological Association urges\u00a0patients and primary care providers to understand how those options compare. AGA experts emphasize that screening saves lives\u00a0–\u00a0and that the type of test matters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1. Colonoscopy\u00a0remains\u00a0the strongest screening\u00a0option.\u00a0<\/strong>AGA recommends colonoscopy because it is the only test that both detects colorectal cancer early and helps prevent it by allowing doctors to remove precancerous polyps during the same procedure.\u00a0<\/p>\n 2. Stool tests are a reasonable alternative when colonoscopy is not available or\u00a0feasible.<\/strong>\u00a0Patients who choose stool-based screening should understand that abnormal results must be followed by a colonoscopy,\u00a0and that testing must be repeated at recommended intervals.\u00a0<\/p>\n 3. Blood tests should be approached with caution.<\/strong>\u00a0AGA cautions that blood-based tests are less effective than colonoscopy or stool tests at detecting colorectal cancer and cannot\u00a0identify\u00a0precancerous polyps that should be removed before cancer develops.\u00a0<\/p>\n Health care providers seeking more information about colorectal cancer screening options should review the AGA clinical practice update titled\u00a0Current Role of Blood Tests for Colorectal Cancer Screening.\u00a0<\/p>\n Source:<\/p>\n