Screening for colon cancer; Colonoscopy - screening; Sigmoidoscopy - screening; Virtual colonoscopy - screening
InformationColon cancer screening can detect polyps and early cancers. Such screening can find abnormalities that can be treated before cancer develops or spreads. Regular screenings may decrease deaths and prevent pain caused by colorectal cancer.
TOOLS OR TESTS
Several tools may be used, either alone or together, to screen for colon cancer:
The first method is a stool test that checks your bowel movements for blood.
The second method is a sigmoidoscopy exam.
The third method is a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is similar to a sigmoidoscopy, but the entire colon can be viewed. You will usually be mildly sedated during a colonoscopy.
Two other methods may be used:
A test called capsule endoscopy (swallowing a small, pill-sized camera) is also being studied, but it is not recommended for standard screening at this time.
SCREENING FOR AVERAGE-RISK PEOPLE
There is not enough evidence to state which screening method is best. Discuss with your doctor which test is most appropriate for you.
Beginning at age 50, both men and women should have a screening test. Some health care providers recommend that African Americans begin screening at age 45.
Screening options for patients with an average risk for colon cancer:
SCREENING FOR HIGHER-RISK PEOPLE
People with certain risk factors for colon cancer may need earlier (before age 50) or more frequent testing.
More common risk factors are:
Screening for these groups of people is more likely to be done using colonoscopy.
See also: Colon cancer
ReferencesWhitlock EP, Lin JS, Liles E, Beil TL, Fu R. Screening for colorectal cancer: a targeted, updated systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:638-658.
Rex DK, Johnson DA, Anderson JC, Schoenfeld PS, Burke CA, Inadomi JM; American College of Gastroenterology. American College of Gastroenterology guidelines for colorectal cancer screening 2009 [corrected]. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104:739-750.
Lieberman DA. Clinical practice. Screening for colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med. 2009;361:1179-1187.
Burt RW, Barthel JS, Dunn KB, et al. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Colorectal cancer screening. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2010;8:8-61.
Levin B, Lieberman DA, McFarland B, Smith RA, Brooks D, Andrews KS, et al. Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: a joint guideline from the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology. CA Cancer J Clin. 2008;58:130-160.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/08/2010
George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Screening for colon cancer; Colonoscopy - screening; Sigmoidoscopy - screening; Virtual colonoscopy - screening
InformationColon cancer screening can detect polyps and early cancers. Such screening can detect changes that can be treated before symptoms develop. Regular screenings may decrease deaths and prevent pain caused by colorectal cancer.
Several tools may be used, either alone or in combination, to screen for colon cancer:
SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AVERAGE-RISK PEOPLE
There is not enough evidence to determine which screening method is best. Discuss with your doctor which test is most appropriate for you.
Beginning at age 50, both men and women should have a screening test. Some health care providers recommend that African Americans begin screening at age 45.
Screening options for patients with an average risk for colon cancer:
A test called capsule endoscopy (swallowing a small, pill-sized camera) is also being studied, but it is not yet recommended for standard screening at this time.
SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGHER-RISK PEOPLE
People with certain risk factors for colon cancer may need earlier (before age 50) or more frequent testing.
More common risk factors are:
Screening for these groups of people is more likely to be done using colonoscopy.
Recently there has been interest in several new screening tests for colon cancer, including checking DNA in stool samples and the fecal immunochemical test (FIT).
See also: Colon cancer
ReferencesWhitlock EP, Lin JS, Liles E, Beil TL, Fu R. Screening for colorectal cancer: a targeted, updated systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:638-658.
Rex DK, Johnson DA, Anderson JC, Schoenfeld PS, Burke CA, Inadomi JM; American College of Gastroenterology. American College of Gastroenterology guidelines for colorectal cancer screening 2009 [corrected]. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104:739-750.
Lieberman Da. Clinical practice. Screening for colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med. 2009;361:1179-1187.
Levin B, Lieberman DA, McFarland B, Smith RA, Brooks D, Andrews KS, et al. Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: a joint guideline from the American Cancer Society, the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology. CA Cancer J Clin. 2008;58:130-160.
The colon, or large intestine, is a muscular tube that begins at the end of the small intestine and ends at the rectum. The colon absorbs water from liquid stool that is delivered to it from the small intestine.
IndicationColon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. Risk factors include a diet low in fiber and high in fat, certain types of colonic polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), and certain hereditary disorders.
IncisionThe treatment of colon cancer depends on the stage of the disease. Stage I cancer is limited to the inner lining of the colon; stage II cancer involves the entire wall of the colon; stage III cancer has spread to the lymph nodes; stage IV cancer has spread to other organs (metastasized).
ProcedureSurgery is the main treatment for colon cancer and removal of the involved colon is required. If the cancer is located near the rectum, a colostomy may be necessary. For stage I and II colon cancer, surgery is usually the only treatment. For stage III or IV colon cancer, chemotherapy is necessary after surgery. There is also some suggestion that chemotherapy may also be helpful in some selected stage II patients. Chemotherapy involves a course of drugs which are toxic to cancer cells.
AftercareStage I and II colon cancer have very high cure rates (60% to 90%); lower cure rates are seen with stage III and IV colon cancer. To detect colon cancer early, when it is most curable, everyone over the age of 55 should have bi-annual endoscopic examinations of the colon.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/07/2012
Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Treatments for colon cancer normally includes, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and diet changes.
The American Cancer Society has recommended the following screening protocol for those at normal risk over 50 years of age
The colorectal cancer screening can be in the clinic, hospital or even at your own home. Your doctor will give you a kit for you doing it at home and then send it to the lab for testing.
Colon cancer screening is done at your local hospital. For example, Markham-Stouffville Hospital serves York Region with regular colon screening clinics.
colonoscopy
There are treatments out there for colon cancer but researchers have yet to come out with a full cure for colon cancer yet. It will be done soon though.
Radiation into the anus is probably what most doctors will recommend for colon cancer treatment. It will not be a kind feeling treatment, so many people choose to be under the influence of a sedentary.
Treatment for colon cancer first begins with a proper diagnosis. Afterwards, a series of drugs, surgery or radiation may be prescribed according to a doctors assessment.
The side effects of colon cancer treatments depends on the type of treatment and may be different for each person.
Radiation also is used in the treatment of patients with metastatic disease. It is particularly useful in shrinking metastatic colon cancer to the brain.
After someone has tested positive for Colon Cancer the next step before treatment is called staging. This is done to determine how far the cancer has spread. The following web-site offers further information on staging and what happens next: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/colon/Patient
You can find information about the colon cancer at the National Cancer institute. With that type of cancer, you will have some surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccine therapy. There are also some clinical trials that accepts patients.
Treatment of colon cancer is strictly surgical, medications taken are during preparation for surgery (as antibiotics), & after surgery. Chemotherapy could be used for advanced stages
There are many treatments for colon cancer. One treatment is surgical removal in which they physically remove either cancerous cells/tumors or entire areas of the colon. Another treatment is chemotherapy which can cause nausea, vomiting, weight loss, dry mouth, sore throat and hair loss.
Treatment options for colon cancer for women are the same options available to men. It is usually one of four options, althought sometimes a combination is used, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or biological therapy.
Surgery is the very first treatment after colon cancer positive diagnosis. Surgery is done to remove the cancerous growths from colon or rectum. For the cancer diagnosis at advance stages other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be given along with surgery.
WHAT COLON CANCER SIMPTOMS ARE?