The Importance of Regular Screenings for Colon Health

According to the American Cancer Society, people at the average age of 45 or above are at risk of colon cancer and should consider regular screening for colon health. Colon cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. It is also known as colorectal cancer, bowel cancer, and rectal cancer. This type of cancer causes no symptoms until your condition gets severe. That’s why people must get regular screening for early detection and treatment. Learn who’s at risk of colon cancer and what screening tests are there for colon health assessment in this article. You can contact us by visiting our clinic or visiting our website at https://doralhw.org/.

 

Who’s at risk?

People are at substantial risk of colon cancer if they:

  • Have a strong family history of colon cancer or certain types of polyps.
  • Have a personal history of colon cancer or certain types of polyps.
  • Have a history of inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Have a family history of hereditary colon cancer syndrome which is known as hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (lynch syndrome).
  • Have a history of radiation exposure on the abdomen or pelvic area to treat cancer before.
  • Are old. As you grow older, the risk increases. Most colon cancer occurs in people over 50. However, the incidence of colon cancer has also been increasing in younger adults as well in recent years.
  • Unhealthy lifestyle choices also increase the risk of colon cancer, including:
    • A diet high in processed meats and low in fibrous fruits and vegetables.
    • An inactive lifestyle
    • Obesity
    • Smoking
    • Excessive alcohol drinking
  • Some people from specific ethnicities are more at risk of colon cancer (like African Americans and Jewish people of Eastern European descent).
  • Are tall (such as being 5 foot 8 inches or taller for women and men, being 5 foot 11 inches or taller can increase the risk of colon cancer).

People who are at risk of colon cancer should consider regular colon screening tests to check the signs of cancer and early treatment to manage the condition.

 

Screenings for Colon Health

To check colon health, several tests are used that show whether you have polyps and colon cancer. Different tests are based on your age and symptoms. Your doctor tells you what test is right for you. These tests include:

  1. Stool tests:

In this test, the doctor collects a stool sample from you and sends it to the laboratory for testing. This test is usually repeated every 3 years. It can detect the DNA changes in the cells which indicate the presence of colon cancer or precancerous conditions. It also looks at signs of blood in the stool.

 

For this test, you don’t need to prepare anything and you can collect the stool sample at home without disrupting your work and lifestyle. However, it is less sensitive than colonoscopy at detecting precancerous polyps. In case abnormalities are found, additional tests might be needed to confirm. Sometimes, it can also produce wrong abnormal results when nothing is present. This test is performed in several ways, including:

  • Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT): In this stool test, the doctor uses a guaiac chemical (a natural resin) to detect blood in the stool. It is performed once a year. For this test, you can get a test kit from the doctor. At home, you need to use a stick or brush to collect a small amount of stool and return the test kit to the doctor to get it tested.
  • Fecal immunochemical test (FIT): In this stool test, antibodies are used to detect hidden (occult) blood in the stool. It also performs similarly to gFOBT once a year.
  • FIT-DNA test, also known as stool DNA test: In this stool test, you need to collect an entire bowel movement in a specialized container given by the doctor and send it to the lab for testing. They check altered DNA and the presence of blood in the sample. It is performed once every 3 years.

 

  1. Colonoscopy:

During this test, the doctor uses a longer, thin, flexible tube inserted inside your rectum which has a tiny video camera at the tip of the tube to allow the doctor to find changes or abnormalities inside the entire colon. It can be used to find and remove most polyps and some cancers. It can take around 30 to 60 minutes to screen. It is performed every 10 years to ensure no abnormalities are found and you’re not at risk of colon cancer.

This is the most sensitive test used for colon cancer screening; however, it can’t detect all small polyps and cancers. For this test, a thoroughly clean colon is required. You may need to make diet and medication changes as required for the test. Sedation is given during the test and takes some time to wear off. That’s why you need someone who can drive you home. In rare cases, it may cause side effects like bleeding from the site where a biopsy is performed, a polyp or other abnormal tissue was removed, or bleeding from a tear in the colon or rectum ball, cramps, or bloating after the test.

 

  1. Flexible sigmoidoscopy:

In this test, the doctor uses a short, thin, flexible, lighted tube inserted inside the rectum to detect polyps or cancer. It is performed every 5 years to 10 years with a FIT test every year.

 

  1. Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT):

These are lab tests used to check stool samples for hidden blood. This test is often repeated annually. These tests are similar to DNA stool tests; however, you need to make certain changes in your diet and medications some days before the test. If blood is detected, you need additional tests. It can fail to detect some polyps and cancer and sometimes may give false-positive results as well.

 

  1. CT colonoscopy (virtual colonoscopy):

Computed tomography colonography uses X-rays and CT scans to produce cross-sectional images of the abdominal organs or the entire colon to detect changes and abnormalities in the colon and rectum. To get clear images, a small tube is put inside your rectum to fill your colon with air or carbon dioxide. It takes around 10 minutes and is usually repeated every 5 years.

Unlike traditional colonoscopy, CT colonoscopy doesn’t need sedation or insertion of scope into the colon. However, you still need to cleanse the bowel beforehand to get tested. It can’t detect all small polyps and cancers.

You need to make diet and medication changes before the test. In this test, radiation exposure is a concern for some people, however, the level of radiation used during the test is lower than the amount used in diagnostic CT scans. If an abnormality is detected, a biopsy might be performed as a follow-up. It may cause cramps or bloating after the test. It may help detect abnormalities in other abdominal organs and additional tests may be needed to determine the underlying cause.

 

Colon cancer screening is crucial when you’re getting older, and the risk of cancer is increasing. Taking timely action to get regular screening for colon health with the help of your gastroenterologist can help you prevent the risk of colon cancer and keep your colon and rectum healthy or create a treatment plan to manage its symptoms and complications.

 

If you need help with colon issues, visit our gastroenterology clinic in Brownsville to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now and improve your gastrointestinal health!!!! You can schedule an appointment with Doral Health and Wellness Gastroenterology Center’s best gastroenterologist doctors in Brooklyn. If you are looking for treatments, you can also talk to our specialists and inquire with them. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call +1-347-384-5690.