Risks of Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests

Serious bleeding or a hole or tear in the colon happens after a stool test in about 0.3 out of 1,000 people (or about 3 out of 10,000 people). This is not from the stool test itself, but from the follow-up colonoscopy or surgery after a positive stool test. A tear or serious bleeding from sigmoidoscopy happens in about 0.8 out of 1,000 people (or about 8 out of 10,000 people). Serious problems from a colonoscopy happen in about 2.6 out of 1,000 people (or about 26 out of 10,000 people).

Screening tests have some risk of creating a hole or tear (perforation) in the colon. There is also a chance of bleeding. Both of these risks are small.

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Michael P. Pignone, MD, MPH, FACP - Internal Medicine

Current as ofMay 28, 2015

Current as of: May 28, 2015

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Michael P. Pignone, MD, MPH, FACP - Internal Medicine