---
title: "The importance of annual screening: How OC-Auto FIT makes screening more effective, accessible, and affordable"
description: Discover the importance of annual colon cancer screening with OC-Auto FIT to detect early signs of the disease. Learn why regular screening is crucial for prevention and how OC-Auto FIT makes screening accessible and effective.
image: https://cancerscreens.polymedco.com/hubfs/Blog_Header_1920x700-1.jpg
---
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- [OC-Auto FIT vs. Cologuard](https://www.cancerscreens.com/why-oc-auto-fit/oc-auto-fit-vs-cologuard/)
- [Annual testing for 45+](https://www.cancerscreens.com/why-oc-auto-fit/annual-testing-for-45-and-over/)
- [Why choose OC-Auto FIT?](https://www.cancerscreens.com/why-oc-auto-fit/why-choose-oc-auto-fit/)
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- [Helpful Resources](https://www.cancerscreens.com/helpful-resources/)
- [Get OC-Auto FIT](https://www.cancerscreens.com/get-oc-auto-fit/)
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# The importance of annual screening: How OC-Auto FIT makes screening more effective, accessible, and affordable
Aug 7, 2024 11 min read
*When it comes to colon cancer, annual screening can help catch the disease in its earliest stages so your healthcare provider can take action to prevent it from progressing. Keep reading to learn more about colon cancer and the importance of yearly FIT screening.*
## **Why is colon cancer screening so important?**
Among all cancers, colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50 and the second-leading cause in women, making it the cancer with the second-highest death rate overall. 1,2
In 2023 alone, more than 150,000 people were estimated to be diagnosed with colon cancer, with more than 50,000 people ultimately losing the fight against colon cancer. This includesnearly 20,000 cases and over 3,700 deaths in people under 50 years of age.2
Despite these concerning numbers,9 out of 10 colon cancer deaths are preventablewhen caught early enough.3 The trouble is that **more than** **4 in 10 adults are not getting screened as recommended.2**
> ***Up-to-date screening prevalence among adults over 45** **in 20212***
>
> - ***59%** up to date with screening*
> - ***41%** not up to date with screening*
What is colon cancer?
What is FIT?
What is a colonoscopy?
Colon cancer starts as a small growth in the lining of the colon or rectum. Regular screening is important to make sure colon cancer is caught as early as possible.
FIT is a **guideline-recommended** colon cancer screening method used to identify blood in the stool or bleeding in the digestive tract that may not present with any other symptoms.
A colonoscopy is an internal colon exam performed with a long, flexible tube called an *endoscope*. The endoscope contains a tiny camera that allows your doctor to find and remove growths within the colon.
## **Should I be getting screened for colon cancer?**
Regardless of your general health, family history, or personal history, **if you are of average risk and between 45 and 75 you should get tested ANNUALLY with FIT.4-6**
While colon cancer may typically be associated with older adults, its impact can be just as serious on adults under 50.
> ***Colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men younger than 501,2***
Multiple professional societies including the US Preventive Services Task Force, American College of Gastroenterology, and US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer have published guidelines about who should be tested for colon cancer.
These guidelines recommend all average-risk adults 45-75 be screened for colon cancer with fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) every year, or a colonoscopy every 10 years.4-6
> ## ***This guidance applies to all adults 45-75 at average risk for colon cancer**,**4-6** **regardless of general health or family history.***
While some people may be at higher risk than others, nobody is ever “low risk” when it comes to colon cancer. People with early-stage colon cancer often have no symptoms, and most colon cancer occurs in people with no known risk factors or family history. 3,7,8
- **3 in 4** people with colon cancer have **no known risk factors7**
- **2 in 3** people with colon cancer have **no family history8**
## **How can I protect myself from colon cancer**
The best way to keep yourself safe from colon cancer is to take action as soon as possible.
For individuals over 45 and of average risk, regular screening may help find signs of the disease before symptoms appear, allowing patients to get treatment early, and when survival rates are higher.
**OC-Auto FIT** is an annual screening solution that can be performed at home, allowing you to screen as early as possible with both comfort and convenience. OC-Auto is the #1 automated screening solution in the world,9 and with its superior performance qualities10 and ability to meet expert-recommended screening guidelines, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
## **How does OC-Auto FIT screening keep me safe?**
#### **Detect hidden blood in the stool**
OC-Auto FIT looks for non-visible blood in the stool, which often occurs without any other symptoms that indicate an issue. By screening with OC-Auto FIT, your doctor can identify this stealthy sign of disease before it develops into other, more serious symptoms.
#### **Can be performed at home**
By making testing as easy as possible, more people are willing to complete their annual screenings – meaning that more people can catch signs of disease earlier. OC-Auto FIT meets you where you are by providing an easy, at-home experience that doesn’t require any fasting, laxatives, or additional bowel preparation.
#### **Screen for cancer every year**
As recommended in expert screening guidelines4-6, annual screening is the best way to make early detection a reality for more people. By completing your at-home FIT every year, you can stay confident that any occurrence of colon cancer will be addressed as early as possible.
*Polymedco is committed to making regular screening a reality for patients everywhere. By working to make screening more effective, accessible, and affordable through OC-Auto FIT, we’re taking the steps to fulfill our mission of saving more lives through early detection.*
**Keep Reading:**
[See why OC-Auto FIT is the experts’ top choice for easy, annual screening](https://cancerscreens.polymedco.com/blog/expert-recommended-patient-approved-why-oc-auto-fit-is-the-1-automated-noninvasive-colorectal-cancer-crc-screening-solution-in-the-world)
[Learn more about screening recommendations](https://www.cancerscreens.com/about-colon-cancer/)
[Find out how to get OC-Auto for easy, at-home colon health screening](https://www.cancerscreens.com/get-oc-auto-fit/)
**References**
1. Siegel RL, Giaquinto AN, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2024. *CA Cancer J Clin*. 2024; 74(1): 12-49. doi:10.3322/caac.21820
2. Colorectal cancer facts & figures 2023-2025. American Cancer Society. Accessed January 25, 2023. [https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures-2023.pdf](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures-2023.pdf)
3. Tepus M, Yau TO. Non-invasive colorectal cancer screening: an overview. *Gastrointest Tumors*. 2020;7(3):62-73. doi:10.1159/000507701
4. US Preventive Services Task Force, Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al. Screening for colorectal cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. *JAMA*. 2021;325(19):1965-1977. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.6238
5. Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, et al. ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021. *Am J Gastroenterol*. 2021;116(3):458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.000000000000122
6. Rex DK, Boland CR, Dominitz JA, et al. Colorectal cancer screening: recommendations for physicians and patients from the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer. *Am J Gastroenterol*. 2017;112(7):1016-1030. doi:10.1038/ ajg.2017.174
7. Who is at risk for colon cancer? Colon Cancer Coalition. September 22, 2022. Accessed January 12, 2024. [https://coloncancercoalition.org/get-educated/what-you-need-to-know/who-is-at-risk/](https://coloncancercoalition.org/get-educated/what-you-need-to-know/who-is-at-risk/)
8. Colorectal cancer risk factors. American Cancer Society. January 29, 2024. Accessed March 12, 2024. [https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html)
9. Data on file with Polymedco, Inc.
10. Imperiale TF, Ransohoff DF, Itzkowitz SH, et al. Multitarget stool DNA testing for colorectal-cancer screening. *N Engl J Med*. 2014;370(14):1287-1297.doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1311194
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