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March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
The Most Convenient Way to Get Screened for Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is pretty common in the U.S. It’s our third most diagnosed cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death. Although colonoscopy is the best test, there are other screening methods that are also good and much more convenient. In fact, you don’t even need to leave home. If you’re due for a screening and it’s not a great time for a colonoscopy, a home kit might be the answer.
More than half of people diagnosed with colon cancer have no symptoms. If you want to catch it early before the cancer has spread, you need to get screened. Early-stage colon cancer is much easier to treat: No chemo or radiation is needed, and the survival rate is over 90%. The lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is about 1 in 23. But your family history makes a difference. People with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) with colon cancer are 2 to 3 times more likely to get it than people without any family history. That’s why doctors sometimes recommend screening for people in their 30s, or even 20s.
There are two general techniques doctors can use to screen for colon cancer. The first is by directly examining the colon itself. In a colonoscopy, the doctor uses a scope (a long, lighted tube) inserted in the rectum. For accurate results, you must avoid solid foods the day before and drink a liquid laxative that cleans out your insides.
If the doctor finds any unusual growths, called polyps, he’ll remove them. Removing polyps actually prevents them from developing into cancer, something that other screening methods don’t do. Similar examinations include:
Virtual colonoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Barium Enema
All require the same prep as for a colonoscopy. Your doctor will let you know if one of these alternatives is appropriate for you. The second type of screening tests your stool (another word for poop) for small amounts of blood or changes in DNA (your genes). This is where home kits come in.
There are several kinds of home kits available, which test for different things. Your doctor will decide which one’s the best for you. The main tests are:
FIT: The fecal immunochemical test checks for invisible traces of blood in your stool.
FOBT: A guaiac fecal occult blood test also checks for hidden blood (“occult” is medical-ese for hidden). Before the test, you’ll need to avoid red meat and citrus for a few days, and avoid some medications (ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin) for a week.
Stool DNA: This test looks for blood and abnormal DNA.
Any health screening can be a little nerve-racking. But once it’s over, you should feel a sense of relief. You’ve done the right thing for your health. You’ve also set a good example for loved ones who may be putting off important screenings like this.
For information about different at-home colorectal screenings, visit here.
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