Colonoscopy
There are four basic tests for colon cancer: a stool test (to check for blood); a barium enema (x-ray) test; sigmoidoscopy (inspection of the lower colon); and colonoscopy (inspection of the entire colon). All four can detect cancers in the early stages, when treatment is most beneficial, but colonoscopy is the most accurate. A newer text, CT colonogrpahy ("virtual colonoscopy"), uses CT scanning to evaluate the colon, but it requires the same through bowel cleansing as colonoscopy.
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Review Date:
6/8/2019 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. |
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