Successful colorectal cancer screening starts with primary care.

Colorectal cancer screening is effective. Screening rates remain low, but that will change. All guidelines now recommend colorectal cancer screening, the value of screening is being promoted in the popular media, and insurers are beginning to pay for screening tests. For screening programs to be successful, good intentions must be backed by reminder systems, readily available patient information, and other changes in office practice. Currently recommended screening options accommodate a broad range of patient preferences and save lives, but none is ideal. Newer tests, such as virtual colonoscopy and stool-based DNA tests, will help if they offer greater sensitivity, specificity, or patient acceptability than current screening options.