Common Procedures Used To Fight Colon Cancer
There are several procedures used to detect and diagnose colon cancer. However, there are only four that are most reliable and commonly used. These include the Fecal Occult Blood Testing or FOBT, Colonoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy and Double-Contrast Barium Enema. The Fecal Occult Blood Testing is a procedure that is used to detect traces of blood in the stool. Bleeding indicates a polyp or the presence of a bleeding tumor in the rectum or colon. The test is usually done on three continuous stool samples to be considered accurate. The sample is usually collected at home and is then given back to the lab for analysis. It is important to follow the diet your doctor suggests before giving the stool samples. Foods like red meat can show blood in your stool, therefore it is important to avoid such meat before giving the sample. If more than one sample shows blood in the stool, it is important for you to go for further testing in order to determine the cause. FOBT is an important tool in reducing the risk of cancer by nearly 30 percent. However, not all polyps and cancers bleed, therefore the test may prove negative even if you have colon cancer. Therefore the test is usually done in combination with other colon cancer procedures of detecting the disease. Colonoscopy is a procedure in which the entire length of the colon is examined by inserting a thin long flexible tube in the rectum. This also helps to view the intestines since there is a tiny camera attached to the end of the flexible tube. The test is performed by a gastroenterologist. By performing this test, the doctor can detect and remove any existing polyps and also looking for cancerous growths or any other abnormalities. Colonoscopy requires preparation before the test is performed. You will be given a liquid diet the day before in order to cleanse your intestines and colon. The evening before the procedure, you will have to drink a special cleansing liquid that completely cleanses your colon so that the doctors can have a clearer view of your insides. During the test, a sedative and pain medicine will be administered to make you comfortable. Then the flexible tube will be inserted to view the colon. Sometimes air is also pumped into the rectum to give a better view. If you regularly get yourself screened with the help of colonoscopy, you can reduce your risk of cancer by at least 90 percent. Sigmoidoscopy is similar to colonoscopy but instead it examines the lower third half of the colon and not the entire length. It is a much simpler procedure than colonoscopy and causes less pain. It is also less expensive and can be performed in a doctor’s office itself. Sigmoidoscopy is capable of reducing the risk of cancer by 80%. Double-Contrast Barium enema is a procedure used to detect abnormalities sin the colon. It is performed by a radiologist. The barium enema helps to coat the walls of the colon so that it is visible on the x-rays. This helps any cancerous growths or polyps to appear on the x-ray. Although these are the most commonly performed procedures for detecting colon cancer, it is best to follow your doctor’s advice on what tests to perform in order to prevent or detect the disease. |
