Did you know that there is more than one way to screen for colon cancer? Although colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon cancer screening – it is the only test that can detect and help prevent colon cancer at the same time – it’s not the only option.
Thanks to advances in technology, there are more ways than ever to determine if you’re at greater risk for colon cancer and to screen for it – including stool tests like Cologuard. And while none of them may be quite as accurate at detecting cancer as a colonoscopy is, the best test is sometimes the one that gets done rather than being put off due to fear or reluctance.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a very effective screening tool, because it allows a doctor to see the inside of the large intestine (colon). In addition to detecting cancer, a gastroenterologist (GI specialist) can find and remove polyps (precancerous growths) from the colon before they become cancerous. A colonoscopy can effectively detect colon cancer. It’s the only screening test that can help reduce a person’s risk of developing cancer.
During a colonoscopy, the GI specialist uses a thin, lighted, flexible tube with a camera to conduct a visual inspection of the colon. Patients are sedated, so they are comfortable and relaxed throughout the procedure. And with new, better-tasting bowel preparation products available, colonoscopy prep has never been more comfortable.
Some Capital Digestive Care locations offer colonoscopy with GI Genius, an AI tool that automatically detects polyps during a colonoscopy, acting as a second set of eyes for the physician.
Is a colonoscopy right for you? Some things to consider:
- Highly effective
- Polyps can be removed, reducing your risk of future cancer
- Provides a view of your whole colon and rectum
- Suspicious tissue can be removed for testing
- Recommended once every 10 years starting at age 45 for people with average risk
- Requires bowel prep the day before the test
- Requires diet changes before the test
- Small risk of complications like bleeding or tissue damage
- Typically requires sedation
- The procedure itself usually takes around 30 minutes, but can vary
- Most patients need someone to drive them to and from the appointment since they are placed under sedation
Stool tests
A stool test is a simple, noninvasive laboratory test that can help screen for colon cancer. These tests use a small amount of stool. While stool tests offer convenience, it comes at a cost. If you receive a false positive, your doctor will still recommend that you get a colonoscopy. And, since these tests are not as sensitive as a colonoscopy, it’s not unusual for them to generate false positive or false negative results. There are several varieties of stool sample tests:
- Cologuard: looks for DNA abnormalities that may signal colon polyps or colon cancer
- Fecal occult blood test: looks for blood cells in the stool, which may be a sign of cancer
- Fecal immunochemical test (also called FIT): another test that looks for small amounts of blood in the stool
Is a stool test right for you? Some things to consider:
- Not as sensitive as colonoscopy, which means some cancers may be missed
- May require further testing depending on results
- Lower accuracy (may generate a “false positive” result)
- Patient can collect stool sample at home
- Can eat and drink normally before test
- Typically need to be repeated every year starting at age 45 for people at average risk
- No sedation necessary
- No bowel prep necessary
- Results available in under two weeks
LGI-Flag
Capital Digestive Care offers LGI-Flag, a groundbreaking AI-driven algorithm that uses readily available electronic health records and clinical data to identify those at risk for lower GI disorders including colorectal cancer. It uses existing or easily obtained lab results along with your age and gender assigned at birth to generate a risk score to determine who needs further evaluation. While LGI-Flag is not explicitly a screening tool, it does help identify patients who may be at higher risk for developing colorectal cancer so they can know their risk and get screened.
Is LGI-Flag right for you? Some things to consider:
- Not actually a screening tool, only generates a risk score
- Risk score can help your doctor determine when you should get screened
- Patients will need screening regardless of results in accordance with screening guidelines
Sigmoidoscopy
A flexible sigmoidoscopy enables your GI specialist to see inside the lower colon (called the sigmoid colon or descending colon) and the rectum. It can be used to detect colon cancer, although unlike a colonoscopy, a sigmoidoscopy does not screen the entire colon.
During a sigmoidoscopy, the GI specialist uses a thin, lighted, flexible tube with a camera to conduct a visual inspection of the rectum and lower colon. It can be a good option for people at lower risk of developing colon cancer. Talk with your GI specialist about whether sigmoidoscopy might be a good option for you.
Is a sigmoidoscopy right for you? Some things to consider:
- Only provides a view of your lower colon and rectum
- Suspicious tissue can be removed for testing
- Lower risk of bleeding or tissue damage compared to colonoscopy
- Does not require sedation
- Recommended every 5 years starting at age 45 for people at lower risk
- Requires bowel prep the day before the test
- Requires diet changes before the test
- Takes less time compared to a colonoscopy, usually between 5-20 minutes
Virtual Colonoscopy
This form of screening, also called CT colonography, uses a CT scanner to look for abnormalities in the colon and rectum from outside the body. Bowel prep is still required before the test, as with a traditional colonoscopy.
Is a virtual colonoscopy right for you? Some things to consider:
- Provides a view of your whole colon and rectum
- Polyps cannot be removed during the test
- Suspicious tissue cannot be removed for testing
- Recommended every 5 years starting at age 45 for people at average risk
- Requires bowel prep the day before the test
- Requires diet changes before the test
- Does not require a scope inserted into the colon
- Does not require sedation
- Requires exposure to X-ray radiation
- Typically takes around 15 minutes
Schedule an appointment with one of our experts to determine which screening option is best for you.