Colorectal Surgery

Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines

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Colonoscopy

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The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends the following screening guidelines for colorectal cancer:

Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow one of the screening options below:

1.      An annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT) plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.

2.      A flexible sigmoidoscopy in combination with a barium enema every five years.

3.      An annual FOBT, the recommended take-home, multiple-sample method should be used. All positive results should be followed up with colonoscopy.

4.      The gold standard for screening tests for colon cancer is a colonoscopy every 10 years.

About the tests discussed here:

colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the physician to view the entire length of the large intestine, and can often help identify abnormal growths, inflamed tissue, ulcers, and bleeding. It involves inserting a colonoscope, a long, flexible lighted tube, in through the rectum up into the colon. The colonoscope allows the physician to see the lining of the colon, as well as treat some problems that are discovered, and remove tissue for further examination. Patients need a thorough clean out of the intestine prior to this procedure. In the procedure suite, patients are highly sedated for the procedure.

fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

A fecal occult blood test is a procedure to check for hidden (occult) blood in the stool. It involves placing a small amount of stool on a special, chemically treated paper, which is tested in the physician's office or sent to a laboratory.

sigmoidoscopy

Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows the physician to look at the inside of a portion of the large intestine, and is helpful in identifying the causes of diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, abnormal growths, and bleeding. A short, flexible, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope is inserted into the intestine through the rectum. The scope blows air into the intestine to inflate it and make viewing the inside easier. Patients are typically not sedated for this procedure.

Patients at increased risk for colorectal cancer should begin screening sooner and have repeat colonoscopies more often. Those at increased risk include patients with a personal history of cancer or ulcerative colitis, and patients with a family history of colorectal cancer, particularly in a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child). If you are concerned about your risk for colon cancer, speak with you primary care physician .