Screening
Why is colorectal cancer screening important? About 75% of people diagnosed with the disease are 50 or older and symptom-free. Adequate screening can reduce the average person's risk of dying from colorectal cancer by 90%. Browse these articles to learn more about screening benefits and options.
Overview of Colon Cancer Symptoms
It's best to get regular screenings rather than rely on colon cancer symptoms to alert you to the presence of a tumor. This is because colon cancer can grow for years before causing any symptoms. But, knowing what to look out for can't hurt.
It's best to get regular screenings rather than rely on colon cancer symptoms to alert you to the presence of a tumor. This is because colon cancer can grow for years before causing any symptoms. But, knowing what to look out for can't hurt.
Colon Cancer Screening Recommendations
In general, people 50 or older are considered at average risk for developing colon cancer simply by virtue of their age. What are the colon cancer screening recommendations for this age group?
In general, people 50 or older are considered at average risk for developing colon cancer simply by virtue of their age. What are the colon cancer screening recommendations for this age group?
Overview of Colon Cancer Tests
There are five common colon cancer tests: colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, and fecal occult blood test. Each has benefits and drawbacks, so it's best to ask your doctor which colon cancer test is appropriate for you. In the meantime, however, here's an overview of the most common types of colon cancer tests.
There are five common colon cancer tests: colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, and fecal occult blood test. Each has benefits and drawbacks, so it's best to ask your doctor which colon cancer test is appropriate for you. In the meantime, however, here's an overview of the most common types of colon cancer tests.
How is Colon Cancer Diagnosed?
For some, a colon cancer diagnosis comes after months of trying to pinpoint the cause of various symptoms. Others receive a surprise diagnosis after a routine colonoscopy. Although there are many ways to arrive at a colon cancer diagnosis, they all have one thing in common: laboratory analysis of a tissue sample that confirms the presence of cancer.
For some, a colon cancer diagnosis comes after months of trying to pinpoint the cause of various symptoms. Others receive a surprise diagnosis after a routine colonoscopy. Although there are many ways to arrive at a colon cancer diagnosis, they all have one thing in common: laboratory analysis of a tissue sample that confirms the presence of cancer.
How to Avoid a Delayed Colon Cancer Diagnosis
The next best thing to colon cancer prevention is early diagnosis. The average survival rate for someone who receives a stage 1 colon cancer diagnosis is much greater than for someone who receives a stage 4 diagnosis. We're accustomed to human error on the part of patients, but it's important to remember that doctors are human, too. These tips will help you avoid a delayed colon cancer diagnosis.
The next best thing to colon cancer prevention is early diagnosis. The average survival rate for someone who receives a stage 1 colon cancer diagnosis is much greater than for someone who receives a stage 4 diagnosis. We're accustomed to human error on the part of patients, but it's important to remember that doctors are human, too. These tips will help you avoid a delayed colon cancer diagnosis.
Polyp Size Gallery
This gallery of polyp illustrations is designed to let you see what polyps look like and how big they are in real life. Looking at them this way helps demonstrate why you can't always count on noticing that a polyp is present.
This gallery of polyp illustrations is designed to let you see what polyps look like and how big they are in real life. Looking at them this way helps demonstrate why you can't always count on noticing that a polyp is present.
How to Get Someone You Love to Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer
We try to get the people we love to get screened for colorectal cancer because, well, we love them. But let's face it. It's not easy. And when it comes to persuading someone to do something that's good for them, there's a fine line between being loving and being annoying. If you find yourself walking that line, these articles may help.
We try to get the people we love to get screened for colorectal cancer because, well, we love them. But let's face it. It's not easy. And when it comes to persuading someone to do something that's good for them, there's a fine line between being loving and being annoying. If you find yourself walking that line, these articles may help.
Medicare Benefits for Colorectal Cancer Screening
Medicare benefits cover a variety of colorectal cancer screening tests, including fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs), sigmoidoscopies, colonoscopies, and barium enemas.
Medicare benefits cover a variety of colorectal cancer screening tests, including fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs), sigmoidoscopies, colonoscopies, and barium enemas.
Colon Cancer Screening for the Uninsured
Approximately 47 million Americans are uninsured and many assume they can't afford colon cancer screening. Some tests aren't as expensive as you might expect; the cost of others may surprise you. If paying for a test isn't feasible, financial help may be available from these state and local resources.
Approximately 47 million Americans are uninsured and many assume they can't afford colon cancer screening. Some tests aren't as expensive as you might expect; the cost of others may surprise you. If paying for a test isn't feasible, financial help may be available from these state and local resources.
Colon Polyps and Cancer Risk
Virtually all colon cancer develops from adenomatous polyps in the colon, generally referred to simply as colon polyps. Although polyps don't always become cancerous, a personal or family history of polyps puts you at higher risk for colon cancer.
Virtually all colon cancer develops from adenomatous polyps in the colon, generally referred to simply as colon polyps. Although polyps don't always become cancerous, a personal or family history of polyps puts you at higher risk for colon cancer.
Screening Statistics for Colorectal Cancer
How many lives would be saved each year if all Americans were screened regularly? When a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) comes back positive, what are the chances the person has colorectal cancer? Get these statistics and others.
How many lives would be saved each year if all Americans were screened regularly? When a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) comes back positive, what are the chances the person has colorectal cancer? Get these statistics and others.
Screening Story Submission Form
Have you been screened for colon cancer? If so, please share your story so others can get a more personal idea of what the tests are like.
Have you been screened for colon cancer? If so, please share your story so others can get a more personal idea of what the tests are like.
Colon Cancer Screening Poll
Common reasons for avoiding colon cancer screening include fear of the procedure or prep, embarrassment, and lack of time. If you've never had colon cancer screening, what's your main reason? If you have been screened but avoided or dreaded it, what was your main concern?
Common reasons for avoiding colon cancer screening include fear of the procedure or prep, embarrassment, and lack of time. If you've never had colon cancer screening, what's your main reason? If you have been screened but avoided or dreaded it, what was your main concern?