Fecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT)
These laboratory kits cost about $10 and they are the most common colon cancer screening tests, although their effectiveness is being questioned. This test involves taking samples from two different parts of your stool, for three days, and spreading the samples on the testing paper. A recent study found a 33 percent reduction in death (in average-risk people) from colorectal cancer in the group having an annual FOBT test. Some of this reduction in risk could be due to colonoscopies that were performed due to false positive FOBT results. If you are opting for an FOBT as part of your annual physical exam, there are a few things you might want to know:
* Of all the different FOBT tests available, HemeSelect (an immunochemical test) has been shown to perform better than the others.
* The test is more accurate (avoiding false-negative and false-positive test results) when you abstain from taking aspirin and eating certain foods (red meat, some raw fruits and vegetables, and vitamin C supplements). Be sure to ask your doctor if there are any food guidelines he/she wants you to follow before taking the samples.
* It can still miss a cancer that wasn’t bleeding at the time or it can pick up bleeding for which no source can be found.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
This test involves a flexible fiber-optic probe (sigmoidoscope) that views the lining of the rectum and the last two feet of colon in search for polyps. This test usually doesn’t require sedation and costs about $150. The downside to this is that the area of the colon examined by the scope typically contains only half of the possible polyps. Some physicians liken it to only checking one breast during a mammography. The other downside is that if a polyp is found, you will have to come back at another time for a follow-up colonoscopy test. This will view the entire colon with a longer endoscope and remove the polyps seen during the previous sigmoidoscopy. This test is not recommended for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer screening because about two thirds of the lesions in these cases develop in the upper portion of the colon, not reached by the sigmoidoscope.
Colonoscopy
This is a more involved test, recommended for high-risk people or when the other tests (FOBT, sigmoidoscopy, or barium enema) results are positive. This test will view the colon, biopsy necessary areas, and remove any pre-cancerous or early-stage cancerous polyps in one step.
The downside to this procedure:
* The test is performed in a hospital or certified endoscopy unit and can cost around $550 plus hospital charges.
* Patients are usually asked to eat a low-residue or clear liquid diet for 24 hours before the procedure. They are also sedated during the procedure.
* There is a one-in-500 risk of perforation of the colon during the procedure.
* Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be discontinued one week before, due to the possibility of bleeding during the procedure.
* Abdominal cramping can occur during and after the procedure.
* Colonoscopy isn’t recommended for those with fulminant colitis, recent colectomy, known or suspected perforation, unstable cardiorespiratory condition, or coagulopathy.
John has been providing articles since 2006. His latest website is about a less tragic subject and can be found at http://www.garminwatch.com/, which helps fitness fans located a cheap Garmin Watch to help in their fitness routines.
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