The Types of Colon Cancer Screening

For the people who do not have any colon cancer symptoms screening is the detection process. Several colorectal cancer screening tests can be used. The most important thing, whatever test you choose, is to be screened.

Your doctor will use a thin, flexible camera to check for anomalies or illnesses in your lower intestine or colon during a colonoscopy.

How to Perform a Colonoscopy

Most people get a sedative, often in the form of a pill to start the colonoscopy. You will lie on your side at a padded exam table during the procedure. Your doctor may place your knees close to your chest with in order to make your colon more accurate.

Your doctor will lead a flexible tube called a colonoscope into your anus while you are on your side and are sedated. They're going to guide it slowly and gently across the rectum and the colon. A camera at the end of the colonoscope transmits images to your doctor's monitor.

The doctor will inflate your colon with carbon dioxide gas once the scope has been placed to get a better view. During this procedure, your doctor can remove polyps, or a biopsy tissue sample. Your doctor will be able to tell you what is happening during your colonoscopy, so that you are alert.

It takes about 40 minutes to an hour for the whole procedure.

Following Colonoscopy

You will expect about an hour to let the sedative wear off after the procedure is done. You shouldn't ride until its full effects disappear for the next 24 hours.

Moreover, your doctor is likely to put gas into your colon and bloat from the gas. Give your system this time to leave. This could mean that you have a problem and should contact your doctor if it continues for days to come.

After the procedure, a little blood is normal in your stool. If you continue to go through the blood or blood clots, have abdominal pain or fevers exceeding 100 ° F, call your doctor.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A colonoscopy and a flexible sigmoidoscopy are similar, except that the entire colon is not examined. A sigmoidoscope is placed via the anus into the rectum and then moved into the lower part of the colon (a flexible, lighted tube about the thicket of the finger with a small video camera on the end). The sigmoidoscope is only about 2 meters (60 cm) long so only half the colon and the whole rectum can be seen by the doctor. Images of the scope are viewed on video screens so that the doctor can locate any abnormal areas and possibly remove them.

In the United States, this test is not widely used as a colorectal cancer screening tool.

Prior to the examination:

Before this test, the colon and rectum should be emptied to obtain the best images. You will probably receive similar instructions for cleaning the intestines when someone receives colonoscopy.

During test it takes usually around 10 to 20 minutes for sigmoidoscopy. Most people don't have to sedate for this test, but you can talk to your doctor about this option. Sedation may make the test less uneasy, but after the test you will need some time to recover and somebody to take you home.

If polyps are found during the test, the doctor may remove the polyps by passing through a small instrument. The polyps are seen in the laboratory. You will need a later colonoscopy if a pre-cancerous (adenoma) or colorectal cancer is found to look for polyps or cancer in the rest of your colon.

See us at Digestive Disease Specialists for Colon cancer screening. See our doctors for your digestive system issues.

**Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.