A screening test is used to look for a disease when the concerned person doesn’t have any obvious symptoms. While on the other hands, when a person has symptoms, diagnostic tests are the options to find out the cause of the symptoms.
However, when you are undergoing a screening for a colon cancer, you need to understand the basic things at first.
Fast Facts shared by the best oncologist in Kolkata
- If you are 50 to 75 years old, an oncologist recommends a colon cancer screening to detect any cancerous
- Did you know the majority of colorectal cancer occur in people who are 50 years or older
- Millions of people in our country are not undergoing screening as recommended by the oncologists
- Do you think you are at an increased risk of colon cancer? Learn your family health history first. Ask your doctor whether you should begin your screening before the age of 50
Screening Guidelines
Regular screening, usually started at the age 50, is the key to prevent colorectal cancer. According to the best cancer doctor in Kolkata, anyone between the age group of 50-75 needs a colon cancer screening. And talking about the adults aging 76 to 85 should ask their doctor if they need a colon cancer screening or not!
When should I start to get screened?
You should start screening for colorectal cancer soon after you have turned 50 and continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you might need to be tested even before you have turned 50 if –
- You or a close relative have had colorectal polyps
- If you have an inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
- You have a generic syndrome such as hereditary non-polyopsis colorectal cancer, familiar adenomatous
If you think you are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer consult your doctor about –
- When to start your screening
- Which test is the right one for you
- How often to go for the screening
Test options for colon cancer screening
Multiple test options include-
Stool-based tests
- Highly sensitive guaiac-based fecal occult blood test
- Highly sensititve fecal immunochemical test
- Multi-targeted stool DNA test every 3 years
Visual (structural) exams of the colon and rectum
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
However, consult with the best stomach cancer doctor in Kolkata for more information on getting a colorectal screening done.
