bit.ly After experiencing symptoms that doctors thought might indicate colon cancer, this patient was given a colonoscopy, which unfortunately led to a diagnosis of colon cancer. This is the informative and inspirational story of Bob, a colon cancer survivor, and his experiences, from his initial recognition of colon cancer signs, to his colon surgery and then colon cancer chemotherapy treatments. chemotherapy. Bob says he “couldn’t be happier” with his treatment and the wonderful care he has received thus far. Here is his story.

Cancer is a killer. Colon cancer is the second most fatal of all cancers – but it doesn’t have to be! Cancer of the colon is a preventable disease that affects both men and women 50 or older. It is easily detected in all stages – even before it becomes cancerous!

Regular annual testing can detect abnormal cells in the colon and prevent cancer from starting. Here are the most common colon cancer tests. Talk with your doctor about these tests.

Fecal Occult Blood Tests (FOBT). This is the most common and easiest test for cancer of the colon. This tests looks for blood in the stool, which may indicate colon cancer. If blood is found, the doctor may order a colonoscopy.

Here’s how the test works. Your doctor will give you a testing kit which you will take home. At home you smear a small piece of stool from your bowel movement on a card. Repeat up to three different times – your kit will have specific instructions. The cards are sent to a lab for testing. Some kits include the mailing packets so you can send the test straight from your home.

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). This is a home test, like the FOBT. You will get a kit from your doctor and put a small sample of your stool on the card. Repeat up to three times – follow the instructions in the kit. Cards are sent to the lab for testing and the results will be sent to your doctor’s office. This test also looks for blood in the stool like the FOBT. If abnormal results are found, a colonoscopy may be ordered.

Sigmoidoscopy. In this test a doctor will use a small lighted tube which allows him to look inside the rectum and lower colon. The doctor is looking for abnormal growths in the colon, such as a polyp, which may indicate colon cancer. If a polyp is found, the doctor will take a small sample of tissue from it and test for cancer. A colonoscopy may be ordered after this if abnormal results are found.

A colonoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the entire colon instead of only the lower third of the colon.

Barium enema. In this test, an x-ray is taken of the rectum and colon after a special barium enema is given. The barium is used to make it easier for doctors to view the x-ray and any abnormalities in it. If an abnormal growth is found, a sample of the tissue is taken and tested. A colonoscopy may be ordered if abnormal results are found in the tissue sample.

Your health care provider is the best person to decide which test is the best one for you. Talk with your doctor about your testing options! The FOBT and FIT tests can be performed every year. Combinations of tests may be ordered by your doctor.

If you are 50 or older, then you should be tested annually. If you have a family history of colon cancer, regardless of your age, you may need to be tested regularly. Certain medical conditions may require that you be regularly tested before the age of 50.

Talk with your doctor about colon cancer testing. A simple test could save your life!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Ling

Related articles by Cancer Treatment Pro

• American College of Gastroenterology 2008 Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening (casesblog.blogspot.com)
• Colorectal Cancer Attitudes Vary by Ethnicity (nlm.nih.gov)
• Simpler Colon Cancer Screening (technologyreview.com)
• Study shows unsedated colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening well accepted by patients (scienceblog.com)

Having a colonoscopy procedure done can be an uncomfortable experience, but it is vital in the prevention and detection of colon cancer, as well as the overall health of your body. It is generally recommended to have this exam starting at age 50, then every 10 years after that.

A colonoscopy lets your doctor see the inside of your colon. This exam allows your doctor to:

* Inspect your colon for various abnormal areas, including bleeding, tumors, inflammation, pouches (diverticula), or narrowed areas.

* Take biopsy examples

* Treat bleeding areas

* Stretch, or dilate the narrow areas

Prior to a colonoscopy exam, your colon needs to be empty. You will be placed on a diet of clear liquid for 1 to 2 days before the exam. You may also be given laxatives or an enema.

Immediately before the colonoscopy begins, you will likely receive a sedative and a pain reliever to help you relax. During the exam, you will lie on your left side. A colonoscope is used that allows your doctor to pump air into your colon. This inflates the colon so the doctor can get a better view of the colon walls.

On average, a colonoscopy takes about 30 minutes, but could take longer if other procedures are needed, such as removing polyps. You will feel some cramping or pressure in the abdomen, but that will end once the scope is removed.

Once the exam is done, it takes about an hour to recover from the sedative. Someone will need to drive you home, because it can take up to a full day for the sedative to completely wear off. You may have some bloating and gas for a few hours afterward, but this will lessen once you expel the injected air.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Parsons

Related articles by Cancer Treatment Pro

• Study shows unsedated colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening well accepted by patients (scienceblog.com)
• Simpler Colon Cancer Screening (technologyreview.com)
• Gene offers bowel cancer ‘shield’ (news.bbc.co.uk)
• American College of Gastroenterology 2008 Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening (casesblog.blogspot.com)