Colorectal Cancer Screening

• rectal bleeding, which might show up as blood on toilet paper, in the toilet bowl, or in bowel movements
  
• a change in your bowel movements, especially if you have bouts of constipation that alternate with bouts of diarrhea
  
• pain in your lower abdomen that doesn't go away or that comes back often
  
• a feeling of discomfort or the urge to move your bowels when there is no stool present.

A digital rectal exam, in which your health care provider feels the inside of your rectum with a gloved finger to look for growths. This exam has limited value because your provider can check only the rectum and not the colon. Most colorectal cancers are in the colon.

A lab test of a sample of bowel movement (stool) for traces of blood. This test is relatively easy and inexpensive. However, many factors can interfere with its accuracy. Also, blood can be present for reasons other than colorectal cancer. Tests that show traces of blood need to be followed by more tests.

Eating certain foods before this test may lead to inaccurate results. For 2 days before having your stool tested, avoid eating turnips, horseradish, and red meat. Also, do not take vitamin C, iron supplements, or anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, for 2 to 3 days before your test. If you have been taking these medicines daily, ask your provider if you should stop them for a few days before your test. Never stop your medicines without first asking your provider.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy (this link goes to the UMHS web site).
The doctor inserts a slim, flexible, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope into your rectum. The doctor looks at the lower part of your colon with the scope. He or she can also use this tool to get samples of tissue for lab tests. About half of all colorectal cancers or polyps can be seen with this exam.

Colonoscopy.
After giving you a sedative to relax you, the doctor inserts a slim, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope into your rectum. This tool is longer than the sigmoidoscope. With it the doctor can see most of the colon and check for polyps and cancer.

If a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy finds an abnormal area in the rectum or colon, the doctor can use the scope to remove a sample of tissue from the area for lab tests (a biopsy). Sometimes the entire abnormal area can be removed with the scope. If an abnormal area is too large to take out with the scope and it needs to be removed, surgery will be needed.