Early Colon Cancer Diagnosis

There are at least a hundred thousand cases of colon cancer diagnosed yearly in the United States. The good news, however, is that the incidence of this disease and the mortality rate has slightly decreased in recent years. This could either be a result of early colon cancer diagnosis or treatment of the disease, or a combination of both.

In the case of other cancers, tests look for small, malignant lesions. Tests for colon cancer diagnosis, however, search for pre-malignant, benign polyps. This can be almost a hundred percent effective in preventing colon cancer development. Because early colon cancer diagnosis often leads to a complete cure, it is very important, especially for those who are at high risk for colon cancer, that they get regular screening.

Screening involves physical exams, simple laboratory tests, and the visualization of the colon lining. There are many tests for colon cancer diagnosis. To examine the colon and colon cancer risks, doctors usually perform the following procedures:

  • Check your medical history. This will identify your risk factors for colon cancer.
  • Examine your stool. Stool exams can detect occult, or hidden, blood which, even in minute quantities, can be a sign of colon cancer or other colon diseases.
  • Perform a sigmoidoscopy. This is a visual exam of the rectum and lower colon with the use of a lighted, flexible endoscope. This process supports early colon cancer diagnosis by directly detecting colon tumors.
  • Perform a colonoscopy. Usually done with the patient sedated, this procedure for colon cancer diagnosis will examine the entire colon, which can reach up to five to six feet. The doctor will insert a long, flexible, lighted tube into the rectum and gently guide it into the colon. The scope will transmit an image of the colon’s lining, which the doctor can then examine carefully.
  • Give you a barium enema. This is an older x-ray exam which is still useful. A fluid containing a substance called barium is pumped into your rectum, after which x-rays are taken. Barium shows up on x-ray, so these x-rays may outline the shadows of any signs of colon disease.
  • Give you a digital rectal examination. This is a physical examination of the rectum wherein the doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger inside your rectum to check for abnormalities. This exam helps colon cancer diagnosis in that it can detect cancers or polyps that develop in the last few inches of the colon.
  • Conduct a fecal occult blood test. This is a simple chemical test that checks your stool samples for traces of blood that cannot be seen with the naked eye. This is a good method of colon cancer diagnosis because it can detect blood from bleeding tumors in the colon before symptoms are even felt.

Other possible tests for early colon cancer diagnosis include an abdominal CT (computed tomography) scan, where x-rays and computer technology make cross-sectional images of the body, detecting abnormal masses; an endorectal ultrasound scan for cancer of the rectum; a physical examination and a chest x-ray to see if the cancer has spread; and a blood test to measure carcinoembryonic antigen levels, which is sometimes higher than normal in people with colon cancer. Other blood tests can also check your liver functions, as colon cancer often spreads to the liver.