Colorectal cancer, commonly known as colon cancer, is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment, and regular screenings can help detect precancerous polyps or early-stage cancer when it is most treatable.
There are several methods for checking colon cancer, including colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, and fecal occult blood testing. Colonoscopy is the most common and comprehensive method, allowing the doctor to visualize the entire colon and rectum using a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end. Sigmoidoscopy is similar to colonoscopy, but it only examines the lower portion of the colon and rectum. Virtual colonoscopy uses X-rays to create a detailed image of the colon, while fecal occult blood testing checks for hidden blood in the stool, which can be a sign of colon cancer.
