Regular screening can often detect Colorectal Cancer early, when it is most likely to be curable. In many cases, screening can also prevent Colorectal Cancer as some polyps or growths can be removed before they have the chance to develop into cancer.
Screening for Colorectal Cancer:
- Prevents cancer by removing polyps during colonoscopy
- Detects early cancers with a good chance of a cure
There are several tests that examine the colon and rectum and are used to find and diagnose Colorectal Cancer.
Physical Exam
Your doctor checks general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual.
Digital Rectal Exam
The doctor inserts a lubricated gloved finger into the rectum to feel for lumps or anything that seems unusual. However, this detects cancer only in the last 5 to 8 centimetres of the rectum.
Barium Enema
An X-ray test using barium sulphate (a chalky liquid) to outline the inner part of the colon and rectum to look for abnormal areas on x-rays. If suspicious areas are seen, a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy will be needed to explore further.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
This procedure examines the rectum and the sigmoid (lower) colon for polyps, abnormal areas or cancer. A flexible, thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing is inserted through the rectum into the sigmoid colon.
Colonoscopy
This procedure allows examination of the whole colon for cancer. A colonoscope (a thin, tube-like instrument) is inserted through the rectum into the colon.