Question by julie d: can a colon cancer screening test detect polyps? what is the procedure for taking the test?
i do not want to take a colonoscopy at this time. what can the colon screening test achieve?
Best answer:
Answer by Dep.
It depends on the test. A colonoscopy can detect polyps and remove them at the same time. It’s an outpatient procedure that’s done under a sort of general anesthesia so you’re basically asleep and don’t know what’s going on.
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NY Colon Cancer Challenge : Promoting Colon Cancer Awareness, Prevention, Advocacy and Research
Article by Linda Bruton
The point of this article is not to discuss which of these two cancers are more dangerous, but in fact to build awareness of these two diseases, so that we as adults can make the necessary precautions by living a healthy life and lessening the chances of developing either or both of these two life-threatening illnesses. The first part of the discussion will concentrate on a leading cause of cancer deaths, having a cancerous liver.
Liver Cancer
As the name suggests, liver cancer is a disease in which a class of cells show uncontrolled abnormal growth in the liver, often times leading to death if there is no early detection to start the treatment process. There are two types of cancer of the liver. These are a primary liver cancer and a secondary liver cancer. Simply put, the primary liver cancer originates in the cells of the liver while with the secondary cancerous liver, the cancer developed in another part of the body, spreading to the liver, infecting its walls and causing turmoil. (Late stage colon cancer, for instance). Now this is a serious condition as the liver is a vital organ and a part of the digestive system. This process cannot take place properly if the liver is not in good working condition. The liver has many jobs within this process including decomposing red blood cells, storing glycogen, detoxification, hormone production as well as producing urea and amino acids, which are essentially the building blocks of the body.
All in all, this can be prevented by reducing one’s intake of alcohol, even to nil if possible. The use of illegal drugs via injections, having unprotected sex which may cause Hepatitis C and smoking are also not recommended. Undeniably, if you start to experience symptoms of abdominal enlargement, loss of appetite, vomiting, drastic unintentional weight loss, tiredness and jaundice then visit a doctor ASAP! Now let us take a look at colon cancer.
Colon Cancer
Cancer of the colon is a disease that results in abnormal growths on the inner linings of the colon. The colon is the tube at the end of our digestive system which is more commonly known as comprising of the large intestine. It is needed in the digestive and excretion process to store foods that will be expelled from the human body. Common symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, presence of blood in your stools, vomiting, abdominal pain, a black stool, weight loss and an overall loss of appetite. All things considered, there a few treatment options available for colon cancer including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. With surgery, the tumor and surrounding lymph nodes are removed; with chemotherapy, medications are administered to kill microscopic cancer cells (in conjunction with the surgery) while radiation therapy given before or after the operation, seeks to particularize the cancer to the rectum.
All in all, we should all try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, having an intake of the right foods and liquids while refraining from harmful substances such as cigarettes and alcohol in excess. Be proactive in taking care of your colon and liver today and you will live a much longer life!
About the Author
If you or a loved one have colon cancer, be sure to read my articles on colon cancer without surgery and laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.
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I’m not sure if you mean checking the stool for occult blood or a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy will detect polyps because that’s just what it is. A scope that the doctor looks through. You will be given laxatives the night before the procedure with only clear liquids to eat the day before the procedure. The procedure itself isn’t bad at all because the doctor will give you medicine through an IV which is called conscious sedation. The prep for the procedure is worse than the actual procedure! If you’re being checked for occult blood, you collect your stool and swab it on a card and give it back to your doctor..I know it sounds gross, but that’s how it’s done. It will show any microscopic blood in your stool cause by possible bleeding polyps.
All of Autumlief’s information is correct. However, you should know colonoscopy is the only test that can detect and remove polyps. It is the gold standard for colon cancer screening. By removing polyps before they become cancerous you can prevent the disease all together. By removing cancer that is confined to a polyp you prevent the disease from spreading. It is also the only way to know if you have a healthy colon. I know the test does not sound pleasant (I can’t think of a medical exam that is.), but it is not painful. Do not accept any other test as a clean bill of health when it comes to colon cancer.
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