Colon cancer is among the diseases that can be prevented if detected in its early stages. Methods for detecting colon and rectal cancer are of great importance in reducing the risks of its spread and increasing the chances of treatment and recovery. Here, we aim to review the prominent techniques for early colon cancer screening and their importance in preventing this common disease.
What is Early Colon Cancer Screening?
The detection of colon and rectal cancer is a method by which doctors examine the colon and rectum for signs of cancer, abnormal growths, or polyps that may turn into cancer. It is performed on individuals who do not exhibit symptoms, with the goal of finding polyps and removing them before they become cancerous or detecting cancer early before it grows, spreads, or causes problems.
Studies indicate that undergoing colon cancer screening reduces deaths resulting from colon cancer. There are several different types of screening tests.
What are the Different Screening Tests for Colon Cancer?
Colonoscopy:
Colonoscopy allows the doctor to directly examine the entire colon from the inside. The colon needs to be cleaned before the procedure by drinking a special liquid that induces watery diarrhea for several hours. On the day of the test, you will receive medication to help you relax. The doctor then inserts a thin tube into the rectum and pushes it into the colon, equipped with a small camera connected to it. This allows the doctor to examine the colon from the inside. The tube also has small tools at its end, allowing the doctor to remove tissue samples or polyps if necessary. After removing polyps or tissue samples, they are sent to the laboratory for examination to detect cancer.
Colonoscopy can detect small polyps and different types of cancer and can immediately remove polyps if found. This test provides the most accurate results.
If colonoscopy is the first test you undergo, you may not need a second follow-up test shortly.
Colonoscopy carries some risks. It may cause bleeding or tearing inside the colon, but this rarely happens. Additionally, bowel preparation can be bothersome. Moreover, the inability to work or drive for the rest of the day after the test due to the relaxation medication taken during the test.
In certain cases, the doctor may perform a test called capsule colonoscopy, where you swallow a special capsule containing small wireless video cameras. This test can be done if your doctor is unable to see the entire colon during a regular colonoscopy.
CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy):
CT colonography reveals cancer and polyps using special X-rays. The preparation for this test is the same as for colonoscopy.
CT colonography can find polyps and different types of cancer in the entire colon without the need for relaxation medications.
If doctors find polyps or cancer using CT colonography, they usually follow up with a colonoscopy. This type sometimes finds areas that look abnormal but turn out to be normal. This means that virtual colonoscopy may lead to unnecessary tests and procedures. Additionally, virtual colonoscopy exposes you to radiation. In most cases, the required bowel cleansing preparation is the same as for regular colonoscopy.
Fecal Occult Blood Test:
Stool tests are conducted during early colon cancer screening to check for the presence of blood in stool samples. Some types of cancer and polyps may bleed, and if they bleed shortly before the fecal blood test, blood may appear. The test can detect small amounts of blood that you cannot see in the stool.
There are other less serious conditions that can also cause small amounts of blood in the stool. This test does not reveal the presence of polyps or types of cancer compared to other screening tests. These tests often show abnormal results even in people not affected by cancer. If the fecal blood test shows something abnormal, doctors usually follow up with colonoscopy.
Sigmoidoscopy:
Sigmoidoscopy is similar to colonoscopy, but the difference is that this test only examines the last part of the colon, while colonoscopy examines the entire colon.
Before conducting sigmoidoscopy, the lower part of the colon needs to be cleaned using a rectal enema. This intestinal cleansing is less annoying than the bowel cleansing for colonoscopy. You will not need medication to relax in this test.
Sigmoidoscopy can detect polyps and types of cancer in the rectum and the last part of the colon. If polyps are discovered, they can be removed immediately.
The test cannot find polyps or types of cancer in the part of the colon that it does not examine. If doctors find polyps or cancer during sigmoidoscopy, they usually follow up with colonoscopy.
Some doctors may choose to combine different early colon cancer screening tests, such as combining sigmoidoscopy with fecal blood testing, for example. Regardless of how colon cancer is detected, undergoing screening is more important than the test you choose.
Who Should Undergo Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening?
Doctors recommend that most individuals start early colon cancer screening at the age of 45. In some cases, individuals at increased risk of developing colon cancer may begin screening at a younger age.
This includes people with a strong family medical history of colon cancer, and individuals with colon diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The appropriate screening rate for early colon cancer depends on your risk of developing colon cancer and the type of test you undergo. Individuals at higher risk of developing colon cancer often need to undergo tests more frequently.
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
- CT colonography every 5 years
- Fecal occult blood test once a year
- Sigmoidoscopy every 5 to 10 years
- DNA stool test every 3 years
Best Doctors for Early Colon Cancer Screening:
Dr. Mohamed Al Boraie is considered the best doctor for early colon cancer screening. He is a consultant in liver, digestive system, and endoscopy, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in England, and a member of the American College of Gastroenterology. Dr. Mohamed Al Boraie is currently a lecturer in general internal medicine, liver, and digestive system at Al-Azhar University’s Faculty of Medicine in Cairo.
Dr. Mohamed Al Boraie actively participates in various local and international scientific conferences and has numerous scientific research publications in prestigious medical journals.
Book your appointment now if you would like to consult with Dr. Mohamed Al Boraie regarding early colon and rectal cancer screening and learn about the latest techniques in early colon cancer screening.