Screening involves testing people who areasymptomaticto identify people who have the disease or who are at higher risk of the disease, often as the first step in diagnosing a disease. The purpose of colorectal cancer screening is to detect people suffering from colorectal cancer early before any symptoms of colorectal cancer appear, so that early treatment can be provided.
Common colorectal cancer screening methods include:
A faecal occult blood test
It can be done at home as directed and can detect even trace amounts of blood hidden in a stool sample. Occult blood in a stool sample indicates intestinal bleeding.
Sigmoidoscopy
A sigmoidoscope is an instrument with a video camera attached and about 60 centimeters long. The doctor will put an instrument through your anus into your large intestine to examine the walls of your large intestine. The examination range can coverthe lower part of the colon. Laxatives must be taken to cleanse the intestines before the examination, and a low-residue diet should be followed. Before the examination, the doctor may prescribe sedatives and painkillers to reduce the patient's anxiety and discomfort. During the examination, the doctor can take tissue samples for further testing and remove the polyps.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is currently the best way to examine the lower digestive tract. The 1.6-meter-long young tube can examine the entire large intestine. The inspection takes 15 minutes to 1 hour. As with sigmoidoscopy, laxatives must be taken to clear the intestines before the examination, and a low-residue diet should be followed. Before the test, the doctor will prescribe sedatives and painkillers to reduce the patient's anxiety and discomfort. During the examination, the doctor can take tissue samples for further testing and remove the polyps.
Should I get screened for colorectal cancer if I don't have any symptoms?
Ordinary people
- Have a fecal occult blood test every one to two years; or
- Have a sigmoidoscopy every five years; or
- Get a colonoscopy every ten years.
High risk individuals
- People with Lynch Syndrome (formerly hereditary (non-poly) colorectal cancer syndrome) gene mutations
- People who have a mutated gene for familial adenocarcinoma coli
- People who have an immediate relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer aged 60 or before
- People who have more than one immediate relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer (regardless of age at diagnosis)
