Colon Cancer Screening – The Need of the Hour
Screening refers to the process of detecting cancer before symptoms appear. Regular colorectal cancer screening is critical because it can often detect cancer early on, when it is simpler to treat. Colonoscopy screening can put a stop to colorectal cancer by allowing doctors to detect and remove polyps before they turn cancerous.
Colorectal cancer can be detected using a variety of tests. Colorectal polyps can be detected using several of these techniques.
• Colonoscopy: It examines the rectum and colon as a whole. A colonoscope i.e. a long, illuminated tube with attached video camera at the end is used. To search for polyps or other abnormal areas, the scope is placed into the rectum and till the colon. These can be taken out and sent to a laboratory for analysis. This test normally necessitates sedation, in which you are given medication to make you asleep for the duration of the procedure. The only test that allows the doctor to see the whole rectum and colon and extract fragments of any suspicious areas for examination is a colonoscopy. If any other test reveals something concerning, you will almost certainly need a colonoscopy.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy: It examines the lowest region of your colon and your rectum. A tiny, illuminated tube with a video camera at the end is inserted into your rectum by your healthcare professional. A sigmoidoscope is the name for the tube. He or she examines the area for polyps or other abnormalities. All can be taken out and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy): This is a sort of CT scan of the colon and rectum. After the CT scans are taken, a computer stitches them together to make a 3-D image. This allows the doctor to check for polyps or cancer.
The tests listed below look for indicators of cancer in your feces or stool. These tests can be carried out in the comfort of your own home. However, they are less likely to detect polyps and may require more regular examinations.
• Fecal immunochemical test or fecal occult blood test - These tests check for blood in the stool that is hidden or occult. During a bowel movement, blood veins in tumors and polyps are easily damaged. Blood may appear in your stool as a result of this. Collect a small stool quantity with a brush for these tests. After that, you spread it on a blood-finding card. In most circumstances, you'll need to repeat this process for a number of bowel motions. The cards are then sent to your doctor's office or a lab.
• Stool DNA test -It searches for DNA alterations in stool cells that could indicate cancer. It also searches for blood in the feces. You must collect a complete bowel movement for this test. This is accomplished by placing a specific container in the toilet. The sample is delivered to a laboratory for analysis.
Colorectal cancer screening should begin at the age of 50 for people at average risk. However, due to a personal or familial history, certain persons are at a higher risk. Polyps or inherited disorders like FAP, Lynch syndrome, or inflammatory bowel illness like Crohn's/ulcerative colitis may also put them at risk. These individuals may need to begin screening at an earlier age and be screened more frequently than usual.
Call us to arrange a colon cancer screening, or visit Screen the City in OKC website to get more information about colon cancer prevention.
**Disclaimer: This blog content does not intend to offer a doctor’s advice and mentions no relationship between any patient and the care provider.
