If you’re ready to speak to one of our nurses, fill out our Contact Form. You’ll get a call back during regular business hours.
What is involved?
- Check with your health insurance to be sure they cover the test (most do)
- Make an appointment at your participating First District office
- Kenmare office – 701.385.4328
- Mohall office – 701.756.6383
- Minot office – 701.852.1376 Ext.135
- Answer some screening questions to determine if the test is right for you
- Receive your test kit in the mail
- Prepare your sample at home and mail it directly to the lab
Who is eligible?
- 45 – 85 years of age
- at average risk for colorectal cancer*
- have NOT had any of the following:
- a colonoscopy in the past 10 years
- a CT colonography in the past 5 years
- a sigmoidoscopy in the past 5 years
- a highly sensitive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in the past year
- a highly sensitive guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) in the past year
- a multi-targeted stool DNA test with fecal immunochemical testing, like Cologuard®, in the past 3 years
*For screening, people are considered to be at average risk if they do not have:
- A personal history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps
- A family history of colorectal cancer
- A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
- A confirmed or suspected hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC)
- A personal history of getting radiation to the abdomen (belly) or pelvic area to treat a prior cancer
More about colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second most diagnosed and second leading cause of cancer death in North Dakota for men and women combined. Colonoscopy screening can not only detect colorectal cancer, but can detect and treat precancerous polyps, helping to prevent colorectal cancer as well. Regular screening is recommended for everyone age 45 – 75. Talk to your doctor to set up your screening.
Colorectal cancer is often thought of as a disease that only affects older people. But the face of colorectal cancer is changing. Over the past four decades colorectal cancer has been steadily increasing in young people, and by 2030, it is on track to become the number one cancer killer of people ages 20-49. Although regular screening starts at 45, you may need to be tested earlier or more often than other people if you have—
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
- A polyp-related genetic syndrome