Test of colon cancer in Port St. Lucie

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death related to cancer in the United States. This makes getting a test for colon cancer in Port St. Lucie even more imperative.

Doctors usually recommend colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer. This is because colonoscopy is highly efficient, especially in the early stages of cancer, and allows to remove any polyps found in the same procedure.

Still, around one third of adults in the appropriate age to get a colonoscopy don’t receive it. Some of the causes for not getting a colonoscopy are:

• Special diet and bowel cleaning
• Discomfort
• Downtime
• Cost

Fortunately for those who are afraid to take a colonoscopy, there are other ways to test for colon cancer in Port St. Lucie. The alternatives to colonoscopy are:

• Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
• Double-contrast barium enema
• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
• Stool DNA (Cologuard)
• CT colonoscopy

These options can be stool-based, in which you take some samples to be evaluated, or done with X-rays. Requirements, frequency and price vary according to the test, but they all are less invasive than colonoscopy and have no downtime associated.

Stool-based tests consist of Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and stool DNA. These tests are on the simpler side of the spectrum: they are cheaper (FIT tests cost around $20), require no preparation and you can even take them yourself.

On the other hand, they don’t get to examine the colon, so they won’t detect cancer as early as a colonoscopy would. This means that they must be taken every one or three years, depending on the type of test chosen.

Visual tests examine the colon by taking images via X-rays. These are double-contrast barium enema, in which barium and air are pumped into the colon, and CT colonoscopy, where air is pumped into the colon for the tomography.

These options are similar to colonoscopy in preparation, requiring the same diet and cleaning of the bowel. However, they are more economical, less invasive, and don’t have any downtime.

As you can see, when it comes to colon cancer screening, there are many alternatives to colonoscopy. Nonetheless, if you test positive for one of the previous tests, you’ll still have to get a colonoscopy. This can be done to confirm the diagnosis of a stool-based test or to remove the polyps that were found on a visual test.

Colonoscopy is still the most accurate test, as it can detect small polyps and abnormalities better than any other. That’s why colonoscopy is still the gold standard for colorectal cancer detection.

Be sure to talk to your colorectal surgeon to determine which of these tests for colon cancer is better for you. Your physician will be able to advice you based on your age and medical history.

Contact the Institute of Health & Wellness for more information on a test for colon cancer in Port St. Lucie. Request an appointment by phone at 772-539-9556