Colorectal Cancer Screening: What Are My Options?

Colorectal cancer screening is testing to look for cancer before the symptoms begin. Screening can find colorectal cancer when it is smaller and easier to treat. There are different options for colorectal cancer screening, but it is essential to get tested. 

The recommended tests fall into two categories:

Stool-based tests

Stool-based tests look at the stool for signs of cancer or pre-cancer. Stool-based tests are easier to be done but are usually needed to be done more often.

Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a test that you can take at home with a kit from the doctor’s office. FIT is used to find tiny amounts of blood in the stool, which can be a sign of cancer or large polyps. 

Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) is another test to find blood in the stool. gFOBT is a test that you can take at home with a kit from the doctor’s office. When using a gFOBT, your doctor might suggest avoiding foods such as red meat, medicines (such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and higher doses of Vitamin C) for several days before the gFOBT.

Stool DNA testing is a test that looks for specific DNA or gene changes in cells that can go into the stool from polyps (pre-cancerous growths) or cancer cells. Stool DNA testing might also search for blood in the stool. For stool DNA testing, people use a take-home kit, collect a stool sample and mail the sample to a lab. 

Visual Tests

Visuals tests can be done less often than stool-based tests but require more preparation. Visual tests look inside the patient’s colon and rectum and search for areas that might be cancer or polyps. Visuals tests can also have risks that stool-based tests do not.

Colonoscopy uses a flexible tube with a camera attached to the end to look at the colon and rectum. The tube is inserted into the anus then into the rectum and colon. During a colonoscopy, your colon and rectum must be empty, so the doctor has a clear view during the test.

CT colonography uses a small tube into your anus and is air pumped into the rectum and colon before the scan. A CT colonography shows detailed images for the doctor to look at, searching for polyps or cancer. 

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is not commonly used for colorectal cancer screening in the U.S. A flexible sigmoidoscopy is like a colonoscopy but looks at less than half of the colon and rectum. 

Regular screening is essential for preventing colorectal cancer. If polyps are found during testing, doctors can usually remove them before turning into cancer. Screening can also find cancer early when it is easier to treat. Be sure to contact Investigative Clinical Research Annapolis Maryland clinical research studies center. Be sure to visit https://icrmd.com/ or contact them at 410-224-4887.