Colon cancer is always an unwelcome life interrupter.
Most of the time, the disease begins in your large intestine without your knowing. More than half of patients diagnosed with colon cancer never notice any symptoms, which is why it’s crucial to go through regular screening tests as part of your healthcare routine. Doing so may help your doctor find colon cancer early, which it’s easiest to treat.
Some of the factors that are known to increase the risk of you getting colon cancer include:
Most of the time, colon cancer begins with small groupings of noncancerous cells (called polyps) that grow on the inside of your colon. Some of these polyps later become colon cancers. These polyps are often small and infrequently produce symptoms.
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Screening helps your care team identify these polyps so that you can have them removed before they become cancerous.
Listen to your body. Be on the lookout for any changes that may indicate you might have colon cancer, such as:
If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor or internist right away to make an appointment to get a colon cancer screening.
When and which signs of colon cancer might appear in a patient with colon cancer will vary from person to person. Some people who have an early stage of colon cancer may not experience any symptoms of the disease, making colon cancer screening essential.
If you are over age 50 or have other risk factors, your physician may suggest that you come in for more frequent or earlier colon cancer screening.
There are several options for colon cancer screening and figuring out which test is best for you isn’t always simple (and how often you need to get screened), but it’s an important decision that might save your life since the disease doesn’t always present symptoms.
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The sooner any cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat. Keep reading to learn basics about some of the most common types of colon cancer screening tests.
As one of the most sensitive colon cancer screening tests, a colonoscopy gives your doctor a full view of your entire colon. During the procedure (which requires sedation), your doctor can remove samples of any abnormal tissue for examination.
For all of these lab tests, you provide a stool sample that you collect at home. These tests do not require any preparation or sedation. If lab technicians find any abnormalities in your stool, additional testing may be needed.
During a flexible sigmoidoscopy, your doctor views most of the lower part of your colon using a video camera on the end of a thin, flexible tube. During the procedure, this is inserted into your rectum to detect abnormalities. If your doctor finds anything, biopsies are taken through the scope.
Logansport Memorial’s Cancer Care Center offers comprehensive cancer care that’s close-to-home. Our team of experts provide a wide range of customized treatments and screenings for diagnosing and treating colon cancer.
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In may cases, colon cancer can be prevented and cured. You’re the best advocate for your wellbeing and health.
Talk to your physician about changes that worry you and get screened on a schedule recommended by your doctor to find and remove any polyps to stop cancer before it begins.
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