19.10.2026

Did you receive an invitation for colorectal cancer screening? Here's what you need to know now

The letter from the Canton of Bern has arrived. What now?

by Dr. med. André Kugener

At some point, many people receive an invitation to participate in the cantonal colorectal cancer screening program. This often raises similar questions: Do I have to participate? Which screening test is right for me? Will there be any costs?

The good news: The program is designed to make access to screening as easy as possible and to help people with the early detection of colorectal cancer.

Who receives an invitation?

The screening program is intended for people of the recommended screening age who have no symptoms. That is precisely the purpose of a screening exam: to detect changes before symptoms appear.
Even people who feel healthy can benefit from screening.

What options are available?

As part of the program, there are generally two screening options:

Stool test

Easy to perform at home
No bowel preparation required
Tests for invisible traces of blood in the stool

Colonoscopy

Direct examination of the large intestine
Very high diagnostic accuracy
Polyps can be removed during the same procedure

The appropriate method depends on the patient’s individual situation and preferences.

How much does the exam cost?

Coverage of costs is an important issue for many people. Special rules apply under the cantonal screening program. Participants can obtain detailed information from the program materials or directly from their health insurance provider.

Who can help me make this decision?

If you’re unsure, you can seek advice. Your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist can explain which diagnostic method is best suited to your individual situation.

Do you have any questions? Dr. André Kugener is happy to assist you.

Ärztezentrum Ostermundigen

Dr. med. André Kugener

Specialisation
Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Conclusion

An invitation to a colorectal cancer screening is an opportunity to take active steps to improve your health. Anyone who receives the information packet should learn more about it and consider the option of early detection. Even a few simple steps can help detect diseases at an early stage.

Learn More

In the latest video series, Dr. André Kugener from the Ostermundigen Medical Center explains how the screening process works and what options are available to participants.

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