Which specialist performs colorectal cancer screening?

Screening may begin with a family medicine consultation, a stool-based test or another test selected for your situation. The clinician considers age, symptoms, family history and previous findings. A gastroenterologist may interpret a concerning result, assess the bowel directly and perform a colonoscopy or arrange further investigation. Screening is for people without symptoms; new bowel symptoms need clinical assessment even if a screening test is planned.

Tell the clinician about blood in the stool, a persistent change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, previous polyps or bowel cancer in close relatives. Follow the collection instructions carefully if you receive a stool test. Bring previous reports and ask how and when results will be communicated.

Arrange prompt medical assessment for repeated rectal bleeding, black stools, ongoing abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, unexplained weight loss or a marked change in bowel habits. Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, fainting, severe abdominal pain or signs of obstruction such as persistent vomiting with abdominal swelling.

Ask which screening test fits your history, what preparation it requires, what an abnormal result means and whether referral to gastroenterology is appropriate. Confirm what symptoms should lead you to contact the clinic before the result arrives.