by D. P. Noe

Created on: December 18, 2008   Last Updated: November 27, 2010

The truth is that if everyone would be willing to be screened for colon cancer, this disease could almost be totally eliminated.   Screening is the key to finding cancer in the early stage before it is too late. The tests for finding out if someone has colorectal cancer can be a little uncomfortable, but the benefits of having the tests done can save your life. The test for colon rectal cancer are screening tests which are procedures that are used to look for disease in the early stages. There also identify when there is no disease. There are 5 tests that are used when looking for colorectal cancer.

COLONOSCOPY

Before they start a colonoscopy, they will give you medication to help you relax. You will go to sleep during the procedure and not have any memory of the actual procedure that was done. There is a small risk factor with this procedure. 1 person in 1,000 has a serious complication from the colonoscopy procedure. A Colonoscopy is usually recommended every five to 10 years after you reach the age of 50.

 During the procedure a thin flexible tube is inserted into the colon. this tube looks directly inside your large intestine, examining all of your colon. At the end of the flexible tube is a tiny camera that lets the physician see inside. If they find a polyp, they will usually remove it. If it looks like cancer, they will take a biopsy which is a small sample of a suspected cancer and perform further testing on the sample.

SIGMOIDSCOPY

This procedure is similar to a colonoscopy, the exception is that it only looks inside the lower end of the colon, the sigmoid. If they discover a polyp that is suspicious for cancer, a sample (biopsy) might be taken out for further testing. Sometimes after a sigmoidscopy, you may need a colonoscopy so that they can check your entire colon

BARIUM ENEMA

This is a procedure that uses x-rays to locate polyps or cancer in the colon. They insert a small tube into the rectum and fluid which is called barium is passed into the colon. The barium will highlight polyps on the x-rays. If they find a polyp, you will need a colonoscopy and a biopsy. There is sometimes a mild cramping during the test. The risk with this procedure are very small, less than 1 person in 10,000 will have a serious complication from the procedure.

Before any of these test are done you will be given a laxative that will clean out your colon. They cannot perform any of these procedures unless your colon is clean.

FECAL OCCULT BLOOD TEST OR HEMOCCULT

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