VA Emphasizes Importance of Early Colorectal Cancer Screening for Veterans

WASHINGTON (August 18, 2024) — Colorectal cancer, known as colon cancer, is one of the most common cancers among Veterans and the entire U.S. population.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports approximately 4,000 new cases each year and emphasizes that older Veterans aged 45-75 receive regular colon cancer screenings.

Today, Veterans can be screened from their homes with an easy-to-use kit that increases access to high quality, safe screenings. VA’s fecal immunochemical test (FIT) program delivers FIT tests to the homes of eligible Veterans.

FIT tests and more thorough colonoscopy screenings are especially important for older Veterans because it is crucial to detect colon cancer early when treatment is effective. VA also recently shared an award-winning video to raise awareness among Veterans who need FIT screening.

View the video and learn more about FIT screening in this recent VA News article on the importance of colorectal cancer screening.