Risks
Some screening methods carry more risk than others. The 
indicates the test(s) with the lowest risk.
Colonoscopy
- Very small risk.
- Out of every 10,000 people who have this test, 10 will have a serious complication.
- The major complications are tearing of the bowel (perforation) and bleeding.
- The risk of death is one person out of 10,000.
- The majority of complications occur when polyps are removed.
Virtual
Colonoscopy
- Carries a small risk of perforation, which occurs in about one out of every 20,000 patients who take the test.
- There may be long-term harmful effects from radiation exposure, especially with repeated testing.
- Because the test can identify abnormalities outside the colon, additional diagnostic tests may be needed for findings that may or may not be important to your health.
Flexible
Sigmoidoscopy
- Very little risk.
- Out of every 10,000 people who have this test, less than one will have a serious complication (such as perforation and bleeding).
Barium Enema
- Very little risk.
- Out of every 10,000 people who have this test, less than one will have a serious complication (such as peroration).
FOBT
- No risk.
Stool DNA Test
- No risk.