Colorectal cancer screening: Choosing the right test.

Colorectal cancer, the second most common type of cancer and cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, can largely be prevented by screening. The 2 most used methods in the United States are colonoscopy and fecal immunochemical testing (FIT). FIT is noninvasive but must be done yearly for optimal performance and, if positive, must be followed by colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is invasive, operator-dependent, and more expensive, but it can detect and remove polyps during the same procedure. The choice of test depends on patient preference, family history, and the likelihood of compliance.