Tallying all the Different Colon Cancer Screenings
Colorectal cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases on the whole planet. Therefore, doctors recommend colon cancer screening to patients once they turn fifty. Regular screenings keep you updated about the chances of you getting colon cancer. That ensures early detection of your disease hence a better chance of curing the disease.
Colonoscopy is the most effective and most popular screening method for colorectal cancer. Doctors widely recommend it to their patients, and the patients also love the process. But there are some other methods of screening as well. If you learn about all of them, it will be easier for you to make your decision.
Different Types of Colon Cancer Screening
Colonoscopy
As we said earlier, colonoscopy is one of the most popular screening methods. So, it is only natural to start this list with colonoscopy screening. A colonoscopy is conducted by inserting a scope through the patient's bowel to see the insides. Let us find out why this screening method is preferred by so many.
This method uses the latest technologies to get the most accurate results for your colon cancer screening. So, if you go for this method, the chances of you finding out about your cancer at an early stage will also increase substantially.
The scope used to look for polyps and malignancy can also be used to remove these polyps. So, apart from helping you detect the disease, the screening also helps you by providing the basic treatments.
The methods they use for the screening let the doctors look closely at your colon. As a result, even if you do not have colon cancer, the doctor can still tell you if you have any problems in your colon.
But even after having so many positive points, there is one downside to this method. Even though the technology used in the process is very advanced, they cannot detect the smaller polyps.
Stool Test
A stool test is conducted by using a sample of the stool of a patient to detect the presence of malignancy in their body. These are some of the advantageous factors of this colon cancer screening.
As no insertion of scope is included, the patient does not have to go through any serious preparations. Not just that, the overall process has no pain included.
The stool sample can be collected from your home. So you would not have to stop work to get your testing.
But the main problem with this method is that you can only learn about cancer only if you have the disease. This process does nothing to help you predict your cancer beforehand.
Other methods include a Fecal occult blood test or virtual colonoscopy. But none of them are as popular or as effective as the two mentioned above
The Key Takeaway
You just learned about two of the most common colon cancer screening methods. Both of these methods are effective and widely used. So consult with your doctor before you choose your screening method.
After you have done that, do not forget to call Digestive Disease Specialists. We are one of the leading clinics for colonoscopy in OKC. With our help, you will be one step ahead in your recovery journey from colon cancer.
**Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.
