Colorectal Cancer Screening

There are several ways to screen for colorectal cancer, including:

• Colonoscopy

  The doctor inserts a flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope into the colon through the anus during a colonoscopy. Polyps and cancer can be detected throughout the colon by the doctor.

• Sigmoidoscopy

  A sigmoidoscopy uses a flexible, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope to examine the lower colon for polyps and cancer. This test cannot be used to check the upper part of the colon.

• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

  FOBTs detect small amounts of blood in faeces or stool, which may indicate polyps or cancer.

• Double-contrasts barium enema

  An x-ray of the colon is taken during a double contrast barium enema. In x-rays, the barium dye helps highlight the outline of the colon. This test can be used to screen people who cannot have a colonoscopy.

• CT Colonoscopy

  CT (computed tomography) colonography is a test that uses CT scans to check the large bowel (colon) and back passage (rectum). It’s also called a virtual colonoscopy.