Several screening tests have been developed to help doctors find colorectal cancer before symptoms begin when it may be more treatable.
Stool test detect cancer.
It tests for hidden blood in the stool which can be an early sign of cancer.
The older hemoccult test finds hidden blood in the stool.
A fecal occult blood test isn t recommended if you have colon cancer symptoms.
Cologuard colon cancer test is the first and only fda approved stool dna test that can be done at home but prescribed by a doctor and has been found to be over 90 effective in detecting colon.
Stool based tests are non invasive colorectal cancer screening options.
The test also detects hidden blood in the stool which can indicate the presence of cancer.
If blood is detected through a fecal occult blood test additional tests may be needed to determine the source of the bleeding.
This is done either with a scope a tube like instrument with a light.
If a stool dna test detects abnormal dna additional testing may be used to investigate the cause such as a colonoscopy to examine the inside of the colon.
Its accuracy in detecting cancer varies but can be as high as 70 percent.
Medicines and food do not interfere with the test.
Some tests that detect adenomas and polyps can prevent the development of cancer because these tests allow growths that might otherwise become cancer to be detected and removed.
Fit only detects human blood from the lower intestines.
These tests check the stool feces for signs of cancer.
Stool tests are also helpful in detecting blood in the digestive tract which might account for low iron levels or be a warning sign of colon cancer.
However the hemoccult test cannot detect colorectal polyps.
So it tends to be more accurate and have fewer false positive results than other tests.
The fecal occult blood test can only detect the presence or absence of blood it can t determine what s causing the bleeding.
These tests look at the structure of the colon and rectum for any abnormal areas.
25 2016 healthday news tests for blood in the stool can consistently detect colon cancer when used on an annual basis and they are effective even in the second third and.
The stool dna test looks for abnormal dna associated with colon cancer or colon polyps.
These tests are less invasive and easier to have done but they need to be done more often.
However if the test does show abnormal signs of blood or a possible cancer or pre cancer a colonoscopy will be needed to confirm the result and possibly to remove any.