In order to find colon cancer doctors have the option to perform one of several tests. The different tests include; colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, stool testing, barium enema, and sigmoidoscopy. Your doctor will sit down with you and discuss each test and choose which one they feel is the right one to perform on you. To give you a little heads up and to help you better understand what you are getting yourself into we have provided a description of what each test can do for you and what it entails.
Colonoscopy - During a colonoscopy your doctor will insert a flexible tube called the colonoscope up into your anus.Your doctor will watch the progress of the camera on a video monitor as it makes its way through your rectum and into your colon. In case you were wondering this test is as unpleasant as it sounds. The good news is you will be sedated during the procedure. One great benefit of this test is that if the doctor finds any pre-cancerous polyps they can remove them.
Virtual Colonoscopy - This test allows doctors to look inside the colon and rectum without having to stick something inside of you. They use the virtual colonoscopy to look for cancer, polyps, and other abnormalities that could be lurking inside the colon or rectum. This test uses a computer program to create a 3D picture of the large intestine through the use of x-ray images.
Barium Enema - For this test the doctor will fill your colon with barium sulfate. As you hold the liquid inside of you they will take x-rays as you move in different directions. This provides them with many x-rays with a two-dimensional view of your rectum and colon.
Sigmoidoscopy - This test is similar to the colonoscopy. The difference is that it lets the doctors check the lower part of the colon.
Stool Testing - There are two different types of stool tests. There is the stool DNA test and the occult blood test.
- Stool DNA testing is most recent method that can easily be performed at your doctor’s office or at home. This test will look for traces of DNA material that is discarded by colorectal tumors or polyps.
- Fecal occult blood tests search for hidden blood in your stool through the use of a chemical reaction. This test can also be performed in a doctor’s office or at home. The most common fecal occult blood tests are EZ Detect and the Colon Health Check.
Colonoscopy - During a colonoscopy your doctor will insert a flexible tube called the colonoscope up into your anus.Your doctor will watch the progress of the camera on a video monitor as it makes its way through your rectum and into your colon. In case you were wondering this test is as unpleasant as it sounds. The good news is you will be sedated during the procedure. One great benefit of this test is that if the doctor finds any pre-cancerous polyps they can remove them.
Virtual Colonoscopy - This test allows doctors to look inside the colon and rectum without having to stick something inside of you. They use the virtual colonoscopy to look for cancer, polyps, and other abnormalities that could be lurking inside the colon or rectum. This test uses a computer program to create a 3D picture of the large intestine through the use of x-ray images.
Barium Enema - For this test the doctor will fill your colon with barium sulfate. As you hold the liquid inside of you they will take x-rays as you move in different directions. This provides them with many x-rays with a two-dimensional view of your rectum and colon.
Sigmoidoscopy - This test is similar to the colonoscopy. The difference is that it lets the doctors check the lower part of the colon.
Stool Testing - There are two different types of stool tests. There is the stool DNA test and the occult blood test.
- Stool DNA testing is most recent method that can easily be performed at your doctor’s office or at home. This test will look for traces of DNA material that is discarded by colorectal tumors or polyps.
- Fecal occult blood tests search for hidden blood in your stool through the use of a chemical reaction. This test can also be performed in a doctor’s office or at home. The most common fecal occult blood tests are EZ Detect and the Colon Health Check.