Screening is used to detect cancer before symptoms appear. Scientists continue to create tests that can screen for certain types of cancer. Cancer screening has the following goals:
Reduce the death rate from cancer or eliminate it altogether
The disease is less common in people who are younger.
Find out more about cancer screening.
Information about screening for colorectal carcinoma
Regular screening can help prevent colorectal cancer. This can detect polyps before they turn into cancerous. Discuss with your doctor when screening should be initiated based on your age, family history and other factors. Screening should be started at 45 for people with an average risk.
Click on the link to know about the colon cancer treatment cost in India.
Colorectal cancer is not usually diagnosed until it has advanced. It is important to discuss with your doctor the pros and cons for each screening test, as well as how often each should be performed. If you have any of these risk factors, it is recommended that you start colorectal screening sooner and/or get your screenings more frequently.
Personal history of colorectal cancer and adenomatous Polyps
Strong family history of colorectal disease or polyps. This includes cancer or polyps in a younger relative than 60, or 2 relatives under 60. A parent, sibling, child, or other first-degree relative can be defined.
An individual's personal story of IBD
FAP, Lynch syndrome or any other hereditary colorectal carcinoma syndromes in the family (see Risk Factors and Prevention).
Below are the tests that can be used to screen for colorectal carcinoma.
Colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to examine the entire colon and rectum while the patient is asleep. To look for cancerous polyps or other abnormalities, a flexible, lighted tube called the colonoscope is inserted into both the rectum (and the entire colon). A doctor may remove any polyps or examine other tissues during this procedure (see "Biopsy" in the Diagnosis section). Colorectal cancer can be prevented by removing polyps.
Computed tomography (CAT) colonography. CT colonography (sometimes called virtual colonoscopy) is a screening technique being studied at some centers. To get the best results, it needs to be interpreted by a skilled radioologist. Radiologist is a specialist in medical imaging interpretation. A CT colonography can be used as an alternative to a standard colonoscopy. This is because of the possibility of anesthesia. Anesthesia is medication that blocks the awareness of pain. It also helps if there is a blockage in the colon.
Sigmoidoscopy. A sigmoidoscopy is performed using a flexible, lighted tube. It is inserted into the lower colon and rectum to examine for cancerous polyps and other abnormalities. A doctor can also remove any other tissue during this procedure. This test cannot be used to examine the upper colon, including the ascending and transverse. This screening test can detect and remove polyps. It is also useful in preventing colorectal cancer. However, it is not recommended to perform a colonoscopy, which will allow you to see the entire colon.
Fecal occult test blood (FOBT), and fecal immune chemical test (FIT). A fecal-occult blood test can be used to detect blood in the stool or feces. This could indicate cancer or polyps. If blood is found in the stool, it can also be a sign of cancer. There are two types of tests available: immunochemical (FIT) and guaiac. Because cancers and polyps don't bleed continuously, FOBT must be performed on multiple stool samples every year. It should also be repeated annually. This screening test can still reduce the number of deaths from colorectal carcinomas by around 30% if performed annually and 18% if performed every other year.
