Colorectal cancer screening

Your MinuteClinic health care provider can discuss your health history and perform a risk assessment. They can order tests and follow up with you as needed.

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and zip code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Colorectal cancer affects the colon (large intestine) or rectum. This disease can happen to anyone at any age, but it’s more common in adults over 50. The following conditions and habits may increase your risk of getting colorectal cancer:

• Alcohol consumption
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Low-fiber diets
• Obesity
• Smoking

Colorectal cancer typically starts as a pre-cancerous growth (polyp) inside the large intestine. This type of cancer does not usually cause symptoms until the disease is advanced.

This screening can find pre-cancerous polyps. It finds early signs of cancer while the disease is still treatable.

How often screening is done depends on your risk factors and the type of test. This is typically a decision that you and your provider make together.

Tests that look for blood in the stool are usually done once a year. Stool DNA tests often happen every 3 years. Health care providers typically recommend a CT colonography exam every 5 years or a colonoscopy every 5 to 10 years. Your provider may recommend more frequent colorectal cancer screening if you have a history of polyps or a family history of certain types of cancer.

If your screening results show anything of concern, your health care provider might recommend more tests.

There are different types of anemia, each with different causes. The cause of anemia usually determines the treatment. Sometimes, treatment can be as simple as iron pills or multivitamins. In other cases, more complex treatment may be required and your MinuteClinic^® provider can refer you to a specialist.