Why is colorectal cancer screening important?

Colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon, is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths for people. Screening is very important because there are usually no early signs of colorectal cancer. When colorectal cancer is found early, it is more curable.

How should doctors screen for colorectal cancer?

Your doctor can use one of five different tests to screen for colorectal cancer. The type of test that is best for you will depend on your age. If you are over 51, you should talk with your doctor to see what screening test for colorectal cancer is best for you.

Talk with your doctor and health plan to find out about what materials and other resources are available. Many health plans offer educational materials (print or online) about colorectal cancer screening. These materials can help you to better understand the tests and the results.

What do the stars mean?

The scores show how well each medical group did at making sure patients, ages 51 to 75, were tested for colorectal cancer. The higher score means more patients got the right care at the right time.

The scores are based on information from at least 30 medical group patient records in 2024.