Virtual Colonoscopy
New! - 2001 Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines
Colon Cancer Screening
Colon cancer is the second largest killer in the United States. It is a preventable disease. However, to prevent this disease, patients need to participate in the process. There are several methods to screen patients for colon cancer. Your physician will assist you in determining which of these are the best for you.
Patients who are at average risk for colon cancer are characterized by the following:
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No family history of colon cancer |
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Lack of symptoms (change in bowel habits, evidence of bleeding from the rectum, thinning of the diameter of the stool and abdominal pain) |
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Tests for hidden blood in the stool are negative (fecal occult blood test) |
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Rectal exam shows no masses. |
If such a patient is 50 years or over, then a flexible sigmoidoscopy should be performed. If the flexible sigmoidoscopy is normal (shows no polyps or other suspicious lesions), then a barium enema (air contrast barium enema) should be performed to ensure that no other lesions are present in the parts of the colon which are not examined by the endoscope.
Patients aged 50 or older who have hidden blood in their stool(fecal occult blood test positive) should undergo a colonoscopy as soon as possible by a gastroenterologist even if the patient has no symptoms or family history.
If a patient is found to have a polyp during an examination with a flexible sigmoidoscopy, then a colonoscopy is usually scheduled. The colonoscopy will then be able to examine the entire colon and remove the polyps safely from the colon. Polyps are usually not removed at the time of flexible sigmoidoscopy because of incomplete preparation of the colon. (Polyps may be safely biopsied during flexible sigmoidoscopy.) This predisposes patients to infections, etc. Thus, polyps are removed from the colon best during colonoscopy.
A gastroenterologist should evaluate patients with other symptoms so that the appropriate examinations can be scheduled.
Studies commonly used in the evaluation of patients for colon cancer include barium enema, flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.
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Other Gastrointestinal Diseases:
- Celiac Sprue |
Crohn's Disease |
Colon Cancer |
Colon Polyps |
Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines for 2001 |
Constipation |
Diarrhea |
Diverticulosis |
Esophageal Strictures |
Fecal Incontenence |
Gastrointestinal Bleeding |
GERD Treatment Guidelines Summary |
Helicobacter Pylori |
Hemorrhoids |
Irritable Bowel Syndrome |
Lactose Intolerance |
Malabsorption Syndromes |
Pancreatic Cancer |
Pancreatitis |
Pilonidal Cysts |
Puritis Ani |
Rectal Abscess |
Rectal Prolapse |
Treatment of Anal Fissures |
Ulcerative Colitis |
Whipple's Disease
Related Links
- Definitions
Patient Education:
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