Colorectal Cancer News

New Report Stresses Various Options for Colon Cancer Screening

While acknowledging that the colonoscopy remains the gold-standard of screening tests, a new report by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stresses that a colonoscopy is not your only screening option. The report concludes that doctors need to inform their patients about all of the screening options available.

“A lot of people don’t know they have several options, and so some may not get screened at all,” says Dr. Cheryl Igelisa, who wrote the report.

For all adults over age 50 – or sooner, if they are considered higher risk- screening through a number of tests or combination of tests is recommended. These tests include colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Of these, colonoscopies are the only test that can both find and remove polyps. Studies show, however, that all three types of tests can lower your risk of death from colon cancer when done correctly.

Dr. Iglelisa and the report stressed that you should always consult your doctor about your options and what screening test is right for you.

References
Norton, Amy. Report stresses options for colon cancer screening. MedlinePlus. 2011 March 2.

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