Importance of Colorectal Screenings

When it comes to cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American Cancer Society suggests people at “average risk” of colorectal cancer start regular screenings at age 45.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal screenings can be divided into two main groups: Stool-Based Tests and Visual Exams.

• Stool-Based Tests – For stool-based tests, a fecal sample is collected and tested for signs of cancer. These tests are not as invasive and are easier to have done than other tests, but they have to be done more regularly. There are options to collect the sample from the comfort of your own home and then send to a lab for testing.

• Visual Exams: A colonoscopy is perhaps the most commonly known example of a visual exam. Visual exams are tests that look at the structure of the colon and rectum for anything irregular. To perform this test, which can take about 30 minutes or a little longer, the colon and rectum must be empty and clean. If anything abnormal is found, the physician will likely take a sample to test. A sedative is used to help keep you comfortable during the test, so you may need someone to help drive you home and get you settled afterward.

“There are other visual exams, as well, that may be available. If you are screened with any test other than a colonoscopy and have abnormal results, your doctor will likely want to follow up with a colonoscopy, “ according to Ascension St. John Hospital colorectal surgeon, Dr. Amer Alame. “Each screening method has different positives and negatives, so consult with your doctor about which option is right for you.”

For more information about colon cancer, contact an Ascension hospital in Southeast Michigan at 866-501-3627.