Colorectal Cancer Prevention
What is colorectal cancer?
- It is cancer of the large intestine and rectum.
- It develops from a growth called a polyp that is not cancer yet, but can become cancerous.
- It is a preventable disease. With screening, colorectal cancer can be prevented.
- It is a treatable disease. If found early with screening, you have a good chance of beating colorectal cancer.
How can colorectal cancer be prevented?
- Screening is the only way to detect polyps and then treat them before they turn into cancer.
Who should be screened for colorectal cancer?
- Men and women 50 years or older should be screened.
- You are at increased risk if you have a parent, brother, sister, or child who has had colorectal cancer or if you have a history of colon polyps.
- Do not wait for symptoms to get screened. You can have the disease and not even know it.
Screening Options
Optical Colonoscopy (Screens entire colon)
Description: The rectum and total colon are looked at using a flexible tube with a built in camera and light. This tube is called a colonoscope. Growths that are not normal can be found and removed or biopsied.
Frequency: Every 10 years
Considerations:
- Can look at entire colon and rectum.
- Allows for polyps to be taken out at time of exam.
- IV sedation used for comfort.
- Cleansing of the colon is required (bowel prep).
- Sedation with recovery time; may miss work/activities.
- Need a driver to take you home.
Virtual Colonoscopy (Screens entire colon)
Description: A CT scan of the abdomen is done while air (CO2) is put into the colon. Special computer software builds a 3-D model of the total colon and rectum. This is viewed by a radiologist to look for colon polyps and cancer.
Frequency: Every 5 years
Considerations:
- Can look at entire colon and rectum.
- You can return to work/activity following the test, unless optical colonoscopy is required.
- No IV or sedation required.
- Cleansing of the colon is required (bowel prep).
- If a polyp is found, removal may be done with optical colonoscopy the same day.
- CT images provide a limited look at other internal organs.
- No driver needed to take you home.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (Screens part of the colon)
Description: A flexible, lighted tube (endoscope) is used to view the lining of the lower third of the colon and rectum.
Frequency: Every 5 years
Considerations:
- Less cleansing of the colon is needed than colonoscopy.
- You can return to work/activity after the test.
- No IV or sedation required.
- Entire colon is not screened.
- If a polyp is found, an optical colonoscopy is scheduled to remove the polyp and look at the entire colon.
- No driver needed to take you home.
Immunochemical Fecal Occult Blood Test (iFOBT) (Does not screen colon)
Description: This test checks for invisible blood in the stool. The test is a take-home kit. You collect a stool sample on a stick and mail the stick to your health care provider’s lab. If blood is found in the stool, more testing is needed.
Frequency: Every 1 year
Considerations:
- No bowel prep is needed.
- May be done at home.
- Does not detect polyps at an early stage.
- May have false-positive and false-negative results.
- Colonoscopy is needed if test is positive for blood.
For more information about your screening options and to schedule, contact your clinic or health care provider.
Contact your health insurance company about coverage for screening options.
Visit www.uwhealth.org/healthinformationfor more information.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 03/04/2010
Copyright © 02/08/2010 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#6982
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