Screening more Veterans than ever for colon cancer

What is colon or colorectal cancer?

In the last year, colon or colorectal cancer (CRC) has been identified as the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the U.S. for people under 50. CRC is one of the most common cancers in the United States, and each year VA diagnoses approximately 4,000 new cases. VA is committed to improving CRC outcomes for all Veterans by increasing screening and access to care. 

Screening for CRC starts at age 45 for Veterans without any known risk factors and is one of the few cancers where regular screenings can prevent a cancer diagnosis. Veterans with a family history of CRC or other risk factors should talk to their provider about what screening is right for them.

How VA is bringing care to Veteran’s homes

VA’s National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program delivers more than 35,000 Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kits each month to the homes of Veterans eligible for CRC screening.

These tests increase VA’s capacity to screen for CRC by providing convenient access to Veterans without requiring them to visit their VA provider. If the FIT is abnormal, a follow-up colonoscopy will be scheduled.

Innovation and high-quality colorectal cancer screening 

While at-home screening offers an alternative to colonoscopy for CRC screening, providing high quality colonoscopies is also critical for Veterans who need the procedure. These are crucial to detect polyps early before they have a chance to become cancer or to detect cancer at an early stage when treatment is most effective.

In combination with the recent deployment of artificial intelligence devices to improve precancerous polyp detection, VA is taking every step to ensure that all Veterans undergoing colonoscopy within VA have access to the highest quality examinations.

Screening saves lives

While we’re saving lives every day through CRC screening, VA is also a leader in lung cancer screening and providing comprehensive cancer care to Veterans no matter where they live in the U.S. through tele oncology services. To learn more about colorectal cancer screening at VA, visit cancer.va.gov and talk to your VA provider.

Topics in this story

cancerColon cancerColorectal cancer

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

20 Comments

  1. David Henson March 26, 2026 at 18:07

    I was told VA doesn’t perform colonoscopies after age 75.

  2. Ann Winger March 17, 2026 at 18:07

    Is the Va sending out Cologuard boxes to people at home & then we return and it gets tested?

  3. Julia Peterson March 17, 2026 at 17:28

    The Ann Arbor VA screwed up my colonoscopy pathology report! If it wasn’t for the doctor calling and asking the pathologist to look at it again, they would have missed a few serrated sessile adenomas! The pathologist also missed my Barret’s Esophagus on their pathology report! The pathologists also screwed up a skin biopsy of a rash- described the cells as one thing but labeled a entirely different disease! Had to repeat the skin biopsy with out the rash… not very helpful! FYI My Barratt’s Esophagus was CONFIRMED two years prior by an different hospital/ pathology clinic. Barrett’s doesn’t just disappear!
    What good does it do to get tests done at the VA if the Pathologists don’t do their job and catch diseases the first time around? How many veterans are walking around with cancer because the pathologists aren’t doing their job correctly?

  4. Carl Bradley March 16, 2026 at 20:08

    How do I receive the Home test kit?
    Who is eligible?

  5. Teresa R Wood March 16, 2026 at 18:44

    This article was good, but didn’t cover HOW to get one of the test kits! So just how do I get one of the tests? I guess I’m not the only person asking! DUH…If you put the information out there, have some information on HOW to get it done!

  6. Dennis L Hoerr March 16, 2026 at 17:48

    At what age does screening stop. I am 85 and have not had a check for years.

  7. Tom Haug March 16, 2026 at 17:18

    Thank you, I am 82 and have had high grade bladder cancer and my bladder and prostate removed 3 years ago. Am now having to take mirolax everyday just to get it moving. I also have diverticulitis. Should I ask for checkup?

  8. Cynthia Heckart March 15, 2026 at 21:38

    Who is eligible

  9. Rodney Lynn March 15, 2026 at 11:33

    Here is my experience which shows that good intentions do not always make good sense. I recently had blood in my stool and messaged my VA primary care team for a FIT test kit. I was told that it has not been quite a year since my last FIT test which was negative, so I am not allowed to receive another FIT test kit. However, they did tell me that I could go to a gastrologist via community care. I am currently looking for a gastrologist that accepts VA community care. Is the cost of these kits so expensive that it is cheaper to charge VA for a specialist doctor visit instead of just taking a stool test?

  10. John DiGaeatano March 13, 2026 at 19:23

    Why can’t the VA just send a kit to a veteran? Who’s in the system? All I get from my primary care doctor wait

  11. L March 13, 2026 at 17:42

    Thank you for informing us Vets of this service. As my husband is due for one this year. I had my colonoscopy done through community care and it sure was easy to do.

  12. Louis Meyer March 13, 2026 at 14:35

    How do I sign up for the at home cancer checking?
    FIT screening kits for Veterans to use at home?
    Thanks
    Lou Meyer
    VA enrolled

  13. Frederic March 13, 2026 at 13:12

    Screening for CRC is important. Is there a link to order a FIT test kit?

  14. Melvin wright March 12, 2026 at 23:48

    The veterans administration ,wait for eight (8) years before they do a follow up on a colonoscopy.8 years is a very long time.if you have Colon cancer,by time you get follow up
    Cancer had spreaded..thru out those 8 years,I have requested another colonoscopy.o ly to be told,to wait

  15. John Joseph Nelipowitz March 12, 2026 at 18:35

    I am one of many veterans who live abroad, how can I get help for screening for CRC.

  16. Frank E. Pruski Jr. March 12, 2026 at 18:13

    Unfortunately, I found that the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, IL WILL NOT provide a screening colonoscopy to a veteran who lives alone and has no one to accompany him/her to the appointment unless the patient will consent to undergo the procedure without any anesthesia.

  17. Peter Vorum March 12, 2026 at 17:52

    How do I get a screening kit?

  18. Matt March 12, 2026 at 17:39

    Great information….. Link to request a test?

    • Louis Meyer March 15, 2026 at 12:38

      Louis Meyer March 18, 2026 at 09:35 – Reply

      How do I sign up for the at home cancer checking?
      FIT screening kits for Veterans to use at home?
      Thanks
      Lou Meyer
      VA enrolled

  19. Roger DiCostanzo March 10, 2026 at 21:29

    It’s great news the starting age is 45, hopefully all veterans take advantage of the testing.

Comments are closed.

More Stories