Colorectal cancer screening in Vienna: FIT test or colonoscopy?
Since June 2026 the City of Vienna has been progressively inviting all Viennese between 45 and 75 to colorectal cancer screening — by letter. If you have received one and are wondering which route is right for you: here are both, explained factually.
The programme in brief
Around 340,000 Viennese will receive an invitation over the coming months. Participation is voluntary and free of charge. You can choose between two equally recognised routes:
- the FIT test (faecal immunochemical test) at home — every two years, or
- the screening colonoscopy — every ten years.
You can order the FIT test by phone on 1450 or online at darmgesundheit.wien. The screening colonoscopy has been covered by the statutory insurers from age 45 since October 2025 — all you need is an appointment at an endoscopy practice and your e-card.
The two routes compared
| FIT test | Screening colonoscopy | |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | Stool sample at home, returned to the laboratory | Examination at the practice, approx. 2 hours incl. observation |
| What is detected? | Invisible blood in the stool — an indirect indication | The bowel lining is inspected directly — including polyps that are not (yet) bleeding |
| If something is found | A colonoscopy is needed to follow up | Polyps are removed immediately, in the same session |
| Repeat interval | Every 2 years | After a normal result, only after 10 years |
| Cost | Free of charge via the programme | Covered by insurance from age 45 (incl. sedation) |
What many people don't know: you can go straight to the colonoscopy
You do not have to take the stool test first — within the programme the screening colonoscopy is a direct option. That has a practical advantage: an abnormal FIT test leads to a colonoscopy anyway. If you opt for the colonoscopy right away, you skip that intermediate step — and with a normal result you have ten years of peace of mind.
At our practice the colonoscopy is gentle: with sedation, painless, with thorough explanation and an immediate written report. We perform more than 5,000 examinations per year — English-speaking patients are very welcome. Everything about the procedure: Colonoscopy — examination & screening.
Already taken the FIT test — and the result is positive?
Then the rule is: stay calm, arrange the follow-up. What a positive result means (and what it does not), summarised here: Positive FIT test — what now?
Appointment for your screening colonoscopy
Appointment: +43 1 890 56 72 Request a callback
Or book your appointment online via the platform arztterminwien.at.