Medically reviewed by Ayanna Lewis, MD
Getting screened is the best way to reduce your risk of colon cancer, a disease that affects 1 in 25 women and it is the second main cause of death from cancer in women under 50 years of age.
The good news, especially for those who really dread the idea of a colonoscopy, is that there are many colon cancer screening methods and some of them can be done from the comfort of your home. But with all the testing options available, how do you know which one to choose?
Understanding the different types of colon cancer screening tests can help you determine which one is best for you.
Why is colon cancer screening so important?
Colon cancer usually takes approximately 10 years to develop. For most people, it begins when a genetic mutation affects one of the cells that line the colon. This mutated cell divides and grows, forming a group of cells called a polyp.
While many polyps are benign (non-cancerous), some can eventually turn into cancer. Screening tests help find polyps before they have a chance to become cancerous.
It can also detect cancer that has already started in the early stages, when it is easier to treat. He 5-year survival rate The percentage of people with early-stage colorectal cancer is around 90%, but drops to around 13% if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The current recommendation is that people with an average risk of colon cancer start getting tested at age 45.
Are some groups at higher risk?
According to the American Cancer SocietyBlack people in the United States are 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer (and 40% more likely to die from it) than other racial groups. Genetic differences, lifestyle factors, and environmental factors explain some of the disparitybut other reasons include lack of access to healthcare and lack of ability to pay for healthcare.
Experts are working to help close this gap by organizing community efforts, such as the Colorectal Cancer Screening Intervention Program (CCSIP) to raise awareness and make screening more accessible.
What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure in which a doctor uses a small video camera attached to a long, flexible tube to examine the colon for cancer, as well as polyps and other warning signs, such as irritated tissue.
The tube is inserted into the rectum while the patient is sedated and there is no pain during or after the procedure.
An important benefit of colonoscopy is that doctors not only look for potentially problematic polyps, but they can also remove them. And if your results are normal, you won’t need another colonoscopy for 10 years. That is why colonoscopy is considered the “gold standard” for colon cancer detection.
A colonoscopy comes with the same thing. small risks (such as bleeding and infection) like any medical procedure, but the benefits outweigh the potential harm for most patients.
Read: Comic – Meg has a colonoscopy >>
What are the other colon cancer screening options?
There are a few different screening options that involve using a home test kit that looks for signs of cancer.
- The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) uses a chemical called guaiac to find blood in the stool. Your doctor gives you a test kit and you use it at home to collect a sample that is analyzed in a laboratory. This test is carried out once a year.
- The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) uses antibodies instead of guaiac to detect blood in stool, but is otherwise the same as gFOBT.
- The FIT-DNA test, such as Cologuard (also known as stool DNA testing) is the FIT test plus another test that checks for DNA changes in the stool. For this test, a complete bowel movement is collected at home and sent to a laboratory. It is done at least every three years.
Colon cancer blood tests, like Shield, are newer options that can be used by people at average risk.
Another option is a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which is essentially a limited colonoscopy that only examines the rectum and lower third of the colon for polyps or cancer. It is done every five years.
A procedure called computed tomography (CT) colonoscopy (or virtual colonoscopy) uses a CT scan to take images of the colon, making it less invasive than traditional colonoscopy. It is done every five years.
It is important to note that if any of these tests come back positive or abnormal, you will need a traditional colonoscopy.
But for people who would prefer to avoid a colonoscopy (or who have difficulty getting an appointment due to a delay), these tests are a lot better than nothing.
Read: We need to talk about colorectal cancer >>
Which colon cancer screening option is best?
Like exercise, the “best” colon cancer screening is the one you will actually do. You’ll need to take your personal health and insurance situation into account, so it’s a good idea to discuss your options with a healthcare provider.
If cost is a concern, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and colonoscopy assistant can help you find free or low-cost screenings near you.
This educational resource was created with the support of Daiichi Sankyo.
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