Colon Cancer Screening: What Are the Options?

By Stacy Simon No one looks forward to a colonoscopy, or the bowel prep that goes with it. But colon screening – testing to look for cancer before symptoms start – helps saves lives. Screening can find colon cancer early when it’s small and easier to treat, or even prevent it altogether. Colonoscopy, however, is just one of many tests that can be used to look for colon cancer. And doctors and researchers continue to develop new ones. Stool DNA test RESOURCES: How the American Cancer Society Fights Colon CancerColon Cancer Stories of Hope American Cancer Society screening guidelines More information about colon cancer A new type of non-invasive test to check for colon cancer is available now, and may appeal to people who want to be screened, but don’t want to undergo the usual preparation required for a colonoscopy and some other screening tests. It’s called a stool DNA test because it looks for certain gene changes that are sometimes found in colon cancer cells. The FDA approved a stool DNA test called Cologuard in 2014. The patient uses a kit at home to collect a stool sample and mail it to a lab. The test checks for DNA changes that could be a sign of cancer or pre-cancerous growths called polyps. It also checks for blood in the stool, which can be a sign of cancer. No special diet or bowel preparation (no laxatives or enemas) are required for a stool DNA test. However, if the Cologuard test does show a pos...
Source: American Cancer Society :: News and Features - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Colon/Rectum Cancer Prevention/Early Detection Source Type: news