Every
time I bring up the question of doing a flexible sigmoidoscopy--to examine the
colon--I usually get "the look, " you know, the unspoken stare that
says, "I don't believe you're asking me to do that!" Usually I can win
them over, but it's certainly no easy task. Many are aware that this procedure
may be uncomfortable, but when I tell them it may detect cancer early, then they
reluctantly agree. And, even better it's true. Colon cancer is the second leading
cause of cancer deaths in the U. S. and the sooner colon cancer is detected, the
higher the survival rate.
Who Is At Risk For
Colon Cancer?
If you have a family history of colon cancer
or of polyps, you're considered to be at a higher risk of developing it yourself.
Smoking and alcohol also seem to compound risk as well. Bowel problems such as
Crohn's Disease also increase the risk of developing a malignancy in the colon.
What Are The Signs Of Colon Cancer?
Unfortunately,
symptoms attributable to colon cancer often aren't evident until late in the progression
of the disease. However, warning signs include:
Rectal
bleeding;
- Rectal
pain;
- Change
in bowel movements;
- Feeling
of having to evacuate bowel movements when none exists.
What
Are The Main Screening Tests Of Colon Cancer?
Digital
Rectal Exam
"Yep,
the famous finger test." This is where the physician with a gloved finger
feels inside the rectum for polyps or other abnormalities. He may then take a
stool sample and place it on a guaiac card to determine if there's any unseen
(occult) bleeding. It is of course limited and only rectal cancers within the
physician's reach may be detected.
Fecal Occult-Blood
Test (FOBT)
Occult blood is blood in the stool that is not
visible to the naked eye. The patient is asked to collect anywhere from three
to six stool specimens to determine occult blood. This test can be falsely positive
if patient has recently consumed red meats, raw vegetables and/or iron tablets,
so the physician usually recommends avoiding these foods before testing.
Flexible
Sigmoidoscopy And Colonscopy
These tests involve inserting
a flexible apparatus with a fiberoptic lens to directly visualize the colon. The
flexible sigmoidoscope sees the rectum and the left side of the colon, while the
colonoscope can view the entire large intestine. Colonoscopy is usually an outpatient
procedure, but requires a sedative and requires the expertise of a gastroenterologist.
Both can take biopsy a of suspicious-appearing lesions.
Virtual
Colonscopy
Still experimental, this procedure involves using
a CAT scan to give a three-dimensional view of the colon without an invasive procedure.
Although still undergoing trials, it may be the procedure of the future and can
help avoid the fear and embarrassment that most people associate with today's
colon cancer screening methods.
How Can I Prevent
Colon Cancer?
 |
| A
high fiber diet plays a role in preventing cancer. |
Annual
visits to your doctor! Most medical associations have recommended a fecal occult
blood test and flexible sigmoidscopy for patient's age 50 and older who an have
average risk of developing colon cancer. It's recommended that the test be repeated
every five years for people at average risk. Vitamins such as folic acid and a
high fiber diet may also play a role in preventing cancer.
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