How to Diagnose Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is cancer that arises in the large intestine, otherwise known as the colon, which is the last part of the digestive tract. It often begins when precancerous polyps, or clumps of cells, form on the inner lining of the colon. If left untreated, these polyps can become cancerous over time. Luckily, however, with regular screening tests, colon cancer can be avoided or cured if polyps are found early enough. Therefore, the key to diagnosing colon cancer is to undergo regular screening tests.

Things You'll Need

• Regular screening tests

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Instructions

• 1

  Get a colonoscopy screening test once every 10 years. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, this is the best way to diagnose colon cancer. A colonoscopy is a test that inspects the inner lining of the colon through the use of a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera attached to the end. This tube is placed through the rectum and up through the entire length of the large intestine to search for polyps or unusual growths. If any are found, biopsies will be taken and small growths will be removed immediately. If large polyps are present and biopsy results prove that they are cancerous, they will be surgically removed later.

• 2

  Have a fecal occult blood test taken every year if you choose to use it as your only form of diagnosis. Fecal occult blood tests use a stool sample to test for hidden blood in the stool, which is often a sign that colon cancer is present.

• 3

  Have a sigmoidoscopy performed every five years with fecal occult blood testing done in between. Like a colonoscopy, a sigmoidoscopy uses a tube to inspect the rectum and sigmoid, the last two feet of the colon.

• 4

  Have a CT colonography, or virtual colonoscopy, done in place of a colonoscopy. To avoid the invasive colonoscopy procedure, you may opt for a CT colonography instead. It uses a CT scanner to produce images of the inside of the colon to check for polyps without having to physically insert an uncomfortable tube inside of you.

• 5

  Have staging tests performed if you receive a positive diagnosis for colon cancer. Staging tests check to see how deep the cancer has penetrated into the colon and whether or not it has spread into nearby organs. This knowledge will help doctors choose the appropriate plan of action to take for your particular case.