| Â | | | | fiberoptic endoscope. This gives a clear view of the |
| Another helpful technique in diagnosing colon cancer is | | | | lining of the colon from the anus to the cecum (the |
| the stool-guaiac test or occult stool blood test which | | | | beginning of the large bowel located in the right lower |
| helps the doctor detect blood in your stool that is | | | | portion of the abdomen). |
| invisible to the naked eye. You should have one | | | | The endoscope also permits the physician to remove |
| annually after the age of 50. | | | | polyps and to search for a cause of chronic or acute |
| The results of this test will determine whether you | | | | bleeding when other tests have failed to do so. |
| need other screening procedures for colon cancer | | | | In about half of cases, surgery can cure colon |
| such as proctosigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. What | | | | cancer. How extensive this will be depends |
| are these tongue-twisters? | | | | on the location and size of the cancerous growth. |
| In the former, the doctor uses a flexible, lighted tube | | | | The surgeon may remove the tumor and rejoin |
| called a proctosigmoidoscope to examine the lower | | | | healthy pieces of the rectum so the patient can |
| portion of the colon and rectum - the area where | | | | function normally. Or he may remove the entire |
| cancers are usually found. This should be done initially | | | | rectum and create an artificial opening called a stoma |
| at the age of 45 and every other year thereafter | | | | on the abdominal wall for stool to pass out. This |
| depending on your condition. For those with a family | | | | happens in about 20 percent of cases. |
| history of the disease, more frequent tests are | | | | Additional treatment in the form of chemotherapy |
| required. | | | | and radiation may follow. For cancer that has spread |
| "Almost 50 percent of all colorectal cancer or polyps | | | | to the lungs, little can be done. |
| can be seen during such an examination. In addition, | | | | "In summary, remember, the key to the cure of |
| diagnosis of other diseases such as Crohn's or | | | | colon cancer is early detection and immediate |
| ulcerative colitis can be made with this instrument. | | | | removal of the polyp or tumor. Follow-up |
| Samples of tissue can be taken through the | | | | chemotherapy and immunotherapy, even if |
| instrument for later examination under a microscope | | | | malignancy appears to have been totally cut out, |
| (biopsy)," said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of | | | | have also been shown to be effective," concluded Dr. |
| the “Mayo Clinic Family Health Book.” | | | | Isadore Rosenfeld of the New York Hospital - |
| Colonoscopy, on the other hand, examines the entire | | | | Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in “The |
| colon using a somewhat similar instrument called a | | | | Best Treatment. |