Is bowel cancer screening right for everyone?

Screening is appropriate for anyone with an average risk of developing colon cancer, with the exception of certain individuals with serious health problems. Screening is not appropriate for patients at high risk for developing colon cancer, such as those with an inflammatory condition like Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis, patients with a genetic abnormality, such as Lynch Syndrome, or those with a strong family history of colon cancer. If you’re in one of these high-risk groups, we recommend being under the care of a gastroenterologist to advise on your specific requirements for colon cancer surveillance.