Colonoscopy vs. stool test: which screens better for colon cancer?

NCT ID NCT00102011

Completed Prevention Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase 3 trial compared colonoscopy with annual fecal occult blood tests for colorectal cancer screening in nearly 5,000 healthy adults aged 50-69. The goal was to see which method finds more early tumors and has a better balance of benefits and harms. Participants were randomly assigned to one screening approach and followed for up to 4 years.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: screening colonoscopy and fecal occult blood test
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that colonoscopy is more effective than stool tests for preventing colorectal cancer through early detection.
What could go wrong: This trial is completed and results are already known; it may not change current guidelines if no major benefit is found. Screening procedures also carry risks like bleeding or perforation.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

colonic neoplasm colorectal neoplasm rectal neoplasm colorectal cancer prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

COLORECTAL CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Feist-Weiller Cancer Center at Louisiana State University Health Sciences

Shreveport, Louisiana, 71130-3932, United States
Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (Data collection only)

Seattle, Washington, 98101-1466, United States
Masonic Cancer Center at University of Minnesota (Data collection only)

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

New York, New York, 10065, United States

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