A member asked:

Gastroenterologist - is it true that occult blood tests between colonoscopies is not recommended?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Samuel Galima answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

As a family medicine physician, I counsel my patients on the risks/benefits with different colon cancer screening tests. I follow USPSTF guidelines (see link). The gastroenterologist (or sometimes general surgeon), recommends a repeat colonoscopy at a certain interval depending on abnormal findings. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening

Answered 1/24/2023

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Dr. Andrew Seibert answered

Specializes in Gastroenterology

If a colonoscopy is used as a screening exam in a patient who is not at high risk of colon cancer and the colonoscopy turns out to be normal, a colonoscopy once every 10 years is adequate for screening, and occult blood testing is not necessary unless symptoms develop.

Answered 1/24/2023

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