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Colon cancer screening: Weighing the options
What is your attitude toward screening tests?
What is your doctor's approach to screening tests?
What is your risk level?
Content
What preparation is involved?
How convenient is the test?
What about cost and insurance issues?
What's your attitude toward screening tests?
What's your doctor's approach to screening tests?
What's your risk level?
What are the pros and cons of each test?
Colonoscopy
Stool DNA test
Fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test
Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography)
What's the bottom line?
What is your doctor's approach to screening tests?
What is your risk level?
Content
What preparation is involved?
How convenient is the test?
What about cost and insurance issues?
What's your attitude toward screening tests?
What's your doctor's approach to screening tests?
What's your risk level?
What are the pros and cons of each test?
Colonoscopy
Stool DNA test
Fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test
Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography)
What's the bottom line?
Fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) are lab tests used to check stool samples for hidden (occult) blood. The tests usually are repeated annually.
The pros:
- Stool sample collection can be done at home.
- There's no need to empty the colon ahead of time.
- There's no need for sedation.
The cons:
- The tests fail to detect some polyps and cancers.
- Certain foods and medications might need to be avoided for several days before the test.
- If blood is detected, additional tests might be needed to determine the source.
- The tests can suggest an abnormality when none is present (false-positive result).
