How to Detect Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon and rectum, is one of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States. As with most cancers, early detection is the best way to prevent colorectal cancer. These guidelines follow the recommendations of the American Cancer Society.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Doctors

Symptoms

1. Determine if you are at higher risk for colorectal cancer - you have had colon and rectum cancer, you have blood relatives who have had it, and/or you have inflammatory bowel disease. If so, have screening tests done earlier and more often.

2. See your doctor if you experience a change in bowel habits.

3. See your doctor if you have rectal bleeding or persistent stomach cramps.

Three Screening Options - Begin at Age 50

4. See your doctor for a fecal occult blood test every year and a flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.

5. See your doctor for a colonoscopy every ten years.

6. See your doctor for a double-contrast barium enema every five to ten years.

Tips & Warnings

• Your physician should perform a digital rectal examination at the same time as a sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or a double-contrast barium enema.
• Colorectal cancer can develop long before any symptoms start to appear, so you should screen for the cancer even if you do not exhibit the above symptoms.

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[Diablo2]

on 6/4/2009 Very useful article.

[motherknowsbest]

on 5/21/2009 This is an important topic. Thank you for bringing it up.