Colon Cancer Screening

Colonoscopy is the most accurate test for detecting colon cancer and precancerous colon polyps. Studies suggest colonoscopy finds more than 90 percent of cancers and important polyps. Your doctor can also remove worrisome polyps at the same time that you are screened for cancer.

Slightly less accurate alternatives to colonoscopy include

• computed tomography, also called "virtual" colonoscopy

• flexible sigmoidoscopy combined with barium enema or stool cards (fecal occult blood tests).