Each year, around 100,000 individuals are diagnosed with colorectal or colon cancer. Now it might be the second main cause of cancer-causing death in women and men there is good news! Screenings are detecting colon cancer early, and the death rate for this cancer is falling.
Colorectal or colon cancer screenings aren’t merely for the elderly population. Cases in the younger people are increasing day by day and several people don’t detect or have symptoms at an early stage. That’s why it’s necessary to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider about colon cancer screening options. Together, you can determine which colon cancer screening option is suitable for you. So, what is the screening for colon cancer? We will discuss it in our blog.
Colon cancer can be fatal— but data demonstrate that early screening tests are saving many lives by finding colon cancer earlier than ever before. Although the colonoscopy technique is a gold standard in colon cancer screening tests, it’s not the mere technique to find this disease. Consult with your healthcare provider about screening.
Colon cancer is one of the most curable cancers if detected early. But since a few of the screening tests need unpleasant prep, many people avoid getting examined. If you’re planning to get the test and are nervous about colon screening, discuss it with your doctor about your worries. With the help of your healthcare provider, you can prepare a colorectal screening plan that suits your requirements. But keep in mind to follow colon cancer screening guidelines.
What Is Colorectal Or Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is cancer in the rectum or colon. The rectum and colon make up the large intestine, an important part of the digestive system. Colon cancer may also be called rectal cancer or colorectal cancer.
Colon screening tests look for signs and polyps of cancer inside the colon and rectum. Polyps are little mass growths, but they might not be cancer. However, a few polyps can turn into colon cancer later, so it’s necessary to detect and remove them.
Screenings For Colorectal Cancer
How to test for colon cancer? Well, there are a lot of tests that can detect colon cancer. Your healthcare provider will suggest a test depending on your possibility of colon cancer. The University Cancer Center suggests everyone should start colon cancer screening starting at age 45. However, if you have a greater risk, you may begin earlier and have more common colon cancer screening options. When it comes to colon cancer screening ICD 10 code plays an important role. Let’s find out some of the most commonly used techniques to detect colon cancer early.
Here are colon cancer screening options that your doctor may recommend you:
Average Vs. Increased Risk Of Developing Colon Cancer
You have an increased possibility of developing colon cancer if you possess any of these risk factors:
- Family history of colon cancer
- Inflammatory bowel syndrome or disease (IBS), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Previous diagnosis of colorectal cancer or colon polyps
- Particular rare inherited health conditions, including Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- History of uterine or ovarian cancer
- African American race
Colon cancer screening tests are categorized into visual and colon cancer testing at home. Together, you and your healthcare provider or doctor can decide which test is right for you.
At-Home Screenings For Colon Cancer Or Rectal Cancer
If you have an average risk of developing colon cancer, consult with your healthcare provider to know if an at-home colorectal or colon cancer screening is correct for you. These cancer screening tests don’t include any prep or a procedure. At-home colon tests look for blood in stool, which can be a warning sign of colorectal polyps or colon cancer.
With these colon cancer screening tests, you need to collect a stool sample at your home. Your healthcare provider provides you with a kit with detailed instructions and supplies. Often, you have to mail your sample to a laboratory in a given envelope or box.
At-home colorectal or colon cancer tests include:
- Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
- FIT-DNA (Cologuard)
Your healthcare provider or doctor may recommend you avoid specific supplements, foods, or medicines that influence your test outcomes. If your test results display possible warning signs of blood in the stool, your healthcare specialist will ask you to undergo a visual test.
Visual Tests For Colon Cancer
With the help of visual screening tests, your doctor can easily see what’s inside the rectum and colon. These screening tests are beneficial for individuals who have both high and average risks. You and your oncologist and other healthcare staff will determine whether a visual test is good for you or not. Visual screening tests include:
- CT colonography: This screening test involves computed tomography (CT) scan to look at the inside of your rectum and colon. It doesn’t need sedation, and healthcare staff doesn’t pass a scope through the colon. CT imaging exposes you to a slight but harmless amount of radiation. A CT colonography is an alternative for individuals who can’t undergo a colonoscopy.
- Colonoscopy: Your healthcare provider passes a flexible, thin tube into the rectum. The flexible tube contains a small camera that lets your doctor see what’s inside of the colon or rectum. Doctors can eliminate polyps during this screening test. People will have sedation during the screening to keep you comfortable and relaxed.
Test preparation: Before going for any of these screenings, your doctor will recommend a laxative and enema to smooth your bowel. You should often do this prep at home just one day before the screening test. Your intestine must be empty, so your healthcare provider can view the whole rectum and colon. After taking the laxative, you will have diarrhea or frequent bowel movements.
Nevertheless, the prep for the screening can be irritating and unpleasant. It lasts merely a few hours — and plays an important role in saving your life.
Methods To Reduce Your Colon Cancer Risk
You can’t administer all your possible risk factors for colon cancer. But surely you can take some necessary steps to reduce your risk of developing it:
Walk & Move More
You should try biking, walking, or any moving activity for at least 30 minutes every day. You can also break this 30 minutes duration into 10- or 15-minute chunks.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Having a heavyweight increases the chance of developing colon cancer if you have excess weight. Function with your healthcare provider to prepare a weight-loss plan that suits your lifestyle.
Discuss With Your Doctor About Smoking Termination
Smoking increases the possibility of developing colon cancer and other types of cancer. Quitting smoking can be tough, but assistance is available. A few healthcare plans provide smoking cessation tips and programs.
Ask Your Healthcare Provider About Aspirin
A few individuals may benefit from taking a regular low-dose aspirin to alleviate colon cancer risk. Speak with your doctor whether taking aspirin is right for you.
Aim For Good & Healthy Food Options
Eat lots of fish, fruits, lean chicken, vegetables, and legumes. You can use these food choices as substitutes to processed or red meats, which can elevate the potential risk of developing colorectal or colon cancer. Try to cut back on:
- Lamb
- Beef
- Salami
- Hot dogs
- Bacon
A shared strategy is a key to colon cancer screening. Colon cancer screening is vital for your health. With your healthcare provider, you can decide which colon test functions for you.
When To Go For A Colon Cancer Screening Tests
Since colon cancer tends to develop and spread slowly, you may not find or detect any symptoms or signs of the disease early— which is why it’s so crucial to have routine screening tests to detect health problems before they elevate.
Your possibility of developing colon cancer rises with your age, and as per the present healthcare guidelines, you need to start being examined at age 45. However, if you have a history of rectal and colon cancers, discuss with you about getting read earlier.
If you detected any symptoms of colon cancer recently or are planning to go for colon cancer screening tests, visit University Cancer Center for better assessment and treatment along with the great ambiance and friendly healthcare staff. Visit us right away.
