Cancer Detection from Colorectal Exam

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that is present in the rectum or the large intestines. This is a common form of cancer, and there are about 101,000 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed each year. Cancer detection from colorectal exam greatly increases the chances of a cure since it detects this cancer in its earliest stages. These are the tests available to detect the presence of this cancer.

Barium enema

The patient is first given an enema with a substance called barium, a white chalky liquid. An x-ray of the colon and rectum is then taken, and the barium highlights the large intestines on the x-ray. If a tumor or polyp is present, it appears as a dark, shadowy mass.

Fecal occult blood test

This test checks for any blood in the stool. The doctor give the patient a test kit and instructions, and the patient takes a stool sample and returns it to the doctor for testing. If the doctor finds blood in the sample, he or she performs a secondary test to look for the causes of the bleeding.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy uses a long, flexible viewing tube inserted into the rectum to inspect the walls the colon. This procedure has a better rate of accuracy than a barium enema. If the physician finds any polyps, he or she removes them and sends them to a pathology lab to determine whether they are cancerous.

CT colonography

A CT colonography uses virtual technology to detect polyps. It is non-invasive and uses a CT scanner to display images of the inside of the colon. There is no tube insertion during this procedure as there is with a colonoscopy.

Cancer detection from colorectal exam saves many lives. Colon cancer is a highly curable form of cancer, but a cure is dependent upon early diagnosis.