Services
Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for average risk individuals beginning at age 50.
Screening Services we offer:
- Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
- Barium Enema
- Colonoscopy
| Average Risk: |
| Men and women over the age of 50 years. Although colorectal cancer can rarely occur before the ages of 50, 93% of cases occur in people over the age of 50. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with increasing age. |
| High Risk: |
- Men and women with a personal history of colon polyps or previous colorectal cancer.
- Family History of colon polyps or colorectal cancer.
- History of inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease).
- Family history of familial polyposis syndrome.
- Women with a history of breast cancer.
|
The following alternative testing is recommended fby the American College of Gastroenterology, the Gastrointestinal Consortium, and the American Cancer Society.
| TEST |
RECOMMENDATION |
EXPECTED REDUCTION
IN COLON CANCER DEATHS |
| FOBT alone (3 separate samples) |
Every Year |
Approx. 30% |
| Sigmoidoscopy alone |
Every 5 years |
Approx. 60% |
| FOBT (3 separate samples) plus Sigmoidoscopy |
Every year and every 5 years, respectively |
Approx. 70% |
| Colonoscopy |
Every 10 years |
Approx. 85-90% |
| Barium enema |
Every 5 to 10 years |
Unknown |
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends colonoscopy as the screening test of choice.
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
The FOBT checks for blood in the stool that is not visible. If present, this could indicate the presence of precancerous polyps or cancer. Any positive test should be followed by a colonoscopy. Studies suggest that FOBT done annually can reduce CRC deaths by about one third.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
This uses a flexible, lighted instrument to visually examine the lower one third of the colon. If polyps or cancers are detected, patients are referred for a colonoscopy for more complete examination of the colon and biopsy or removal of any abnormal growths. May reduce colorectal cancer deaths by up to 66%.
Barium Enema
This is an X-ray of the colon and can detect many cancers and larger polyps. Although not as accurate as other screening methods, it may be used in special situations. If polyps or cancers are detected, patients are referred for colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy
A Colonoscopy uses a flexible, lighted instrument to visualize the entire colon. Patients are usually sedated for this procedure. Most polyps can be removed and other suspicious abnormalities can be biopsied, destroyed or removed during this examination. Recent studies suggest that colonoscopy screening can reduce colorectal cancer incidence by up to 86% and colorectal cancer mortality by up to 90%.