Once a person reaches the age of 50, doctors recommend that even healthy people be screened for the presence of colon cancer. The sooner colon cancer is identified, the better the chances are for a cure. The chances of dying from this disease are greatly reduced with early diagnosis.
Several forms of colon cancer screening in Dallas TX exist. Talk to your doctor about the options. Between you and your doctor, it can be decided which screening method is most appropriate for you. If you opt for a colonoscopy, any polyps that are discovered can be removed before they become cancerous. Colonoscopy has been shown to reduce a person’s risk of developing and dying from colon cancer.
Diagnosing Colon Cancer
If you display signs or symptoms of colon cancer, your doctor will probably refer you to a gastroenterologist. This doctor will suggest tests, which include:
-
Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy uses a long, thin, flexible tube that contains a video camera and light source. This device is inserted into the rectum and allows the doctor to view the rectum and colon. If, during the examination, a suspicious area is found, special tools can be passed through the tube and take tissue samples for later analysis.
-
Blood Tests: A blood test will not show that you have colon cancer. The test will, however show your overall health. There are tumor markers for colon cancer that can be detected in the blood.
Treatment
The treatment regime that the gastroenterologist recommends depends on the stage of cancer. There are three options: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Surgery is the usual approach taken for early-stage colon cancer. If the cancerous area is small, your doctor may recommend minimally invasive procedures, such as:
-
Remove the polyps during a colonoscopy procedure
-
Remove larger polyps by removing a small amount of the colon lining
-
Polyps that cannot be removed during a colonoscopy can be removed through tiny incisions made in the abdominal wall. This is known as laparoscopic surgery and is minimally invasive.
Being diagnosed with cancer can drain a person emotionally and physically. With early detection and treatment, colon cancer can be prevented and defeated. Visit KEDIA for more info.
