(BPT) - Recently, Minnesotans have been receiving unsolicited, unrequested at-home colon cancer screening kits from health insurers, without a doctor's input. If you received one in the mail, you might think the test is either required, recommended or the best possible choice for your screening. The truth is, colon cancer tests are not all the same, and it's crucial to understand what may be best for your health, based on your individual needs and risk factors such as age and family medical history.
Early detection and prevention is key to better health, while delayed or insufficient screening that might miss precancerous polyps can increase the possibility of a late-stage diagnosis and poorer health outcomes. And if you're already following a regular colonoscopy schedule (typically every 5-10 years), you may not need the mailed test at all.
"The highest priority is ensuring patients receive the colorectal cancer screening that's clinically appropriate for them," said Scott Ketover, M.D., president and CEO of MNGI Digestive Health. "There are many instances where an at-home kit is not the clinically appropriate screening tool. No matter what, at-home kits do not prevent colon cancer. Colonoscopy is the only preventative screening test."
If you received a kit and are wondering what makes them different from colonoscopy and what's best for your situation, the experts at MNGI Digestive Health, the gold standard for colonoscopy, are sharing the facts behind many myths about colon cancer screening.
Myth No. 1: "At-home kits are just as accurate as colonoscopies."
Fact: At-home stool tests can detect some cancers, but they miss most precancerous polyps and may miss early cancers. On the other hand, a colonoscopy can find and remove precancerous polyps in the same appointment to prevent cancer, which is something no mail-in test can do. In addition, at-home tests have a high rate of false positives, in which case a colonoscopy would be needed to confirm.
Myth No. 2: "If my at-home test is negative, I'm in the clear."
Fact: A negative at-home test does not guarantee the absence of cancer or polyps. Stool tests only detect abnormalities after they start bleeding or shedding DNA. A colonoscopy visualizes the entire colon, detecting issues before symptoms or bleeding occur.
Myth No. 3: "At-home kits are more convenient. Colonoscopy prep and procedure aren't worth it."
Fact: While at-home kits are quicker, a colonoscopy is typically done only once every 10 years for average-risk adults. Many people find today's prep much more manageable than in previous years, and the procedure itself is painless thanks to sedation. One appointment can detect, diagnose and treat — compared to years of repeated mail-in testing.
Myth No. 4: "Mail-in tests are cheaper."
Fact: At first glance they can be, but not always: Many at-home tests require an annual or a repeat test every 3 years. Plus, any positive result triggers a colonoscopy anyway (sometimes including a patient co-pay/out-of-pocket costs depending on insurance coverage). Colonoscopy is cost-effective in the long term, especially since it helps prevent cancer rather than just screening for it.
Myth No. 5: "Mail-in tests detect polyps just as well as colonoscopy."
Fact: Colonoscopy is the only method that reliably detects and removes:
- Large and small precancerous polyps
- Sessile serrated polyps (more often missed by stool tests)
- Non-bleeding or non-shedding lesions
Most polyps don't bleed, so stool tests commonly miss them.
Myth No. 6: "A colonoscopy is risky."
Fact: Colonoscopy is a safe, routine procedure performed millions of times per year. Serious complications are very rare (less than 0.2%), and their ability to prevent cancer far outweighs the minimal risks. Appropriate screening helps prevent 90% of all colon and rectal cancers.
Contact a physician for advice regarding colonoscopy
Your individual medical history, family history and your personal risk factors are all crucial pieces of information that can help you and your doctor make the best decision regarding screening for colon cancer. For gastroenterologists themselves, the choice is clear: They prefer the accuracy and preventive capabilities of colonoscopy.
"I don't know a single gastroenterologist who would personally choose an at-home test kit over colonoscopy, because of the potential negative health consequences," said Paul Dambowy, M.D., MNGI Digestive Health. "Why would I recommend a test to patients that my peers wouldn't choose for themselves?"
Make sure to get expert advice about colon cancer screening from a doctor to help you make the best decision for your health. Discover a clear overview of your screening choices at MNGI.com/best-test.
