Timely screening of colorectal cancer can play a vital role in its curing. At Gujarat Super Specialty Hospital, the adequately trained and vastly experienced doctors use some non invasive colorectal cancer screening tests for the proper identification of the conditions. The tests involved are
- Stool Based Tests
- Visual Tests
To get a clear idea about these non invasive tests, please read through.
Stool Based Tests
As indicated by the name, these tests are carried out by examining the stool sample of the affected individual.
Faecal immunochemical test (FIT)
Faecal immunochemical test or FIT which tests for the hidden blood present in the stool of the affected individual. This is a very common screening test for colon cancer which is able to detect the presence of blood only form the lower intestines of the individual. Usage of medicines and consumption of any food does not interfere with the result of this test hence providing more accurate results.
Stool DNA Testing
This test aim to analyse a number of DNA markers which the colorectal cancers or the polyps that are precancerous in nature and shed into the stool of the affected individual. This test is much more accurate in the detection of colorectal cancer that polyps but it is not able to detect all DNA mutations for indicating that a tumour is present.
Visual Tests
These tests include the following.
1. Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a very common non invasive test to detect colorectal cancer. Here the doctor uses a colonoscope which is a long slender & flexible tube attached to a monitor and a video camera. With the help of the colonoscope, the doctor is able to check the whole of the colon as well as the rectum for the presence of polyps which can be removed during this procedure. At times, samples or biopsies are also taken. Colonoscopy is usually painless but discomfort exists and for that reason a mild sedative is used for calming the patient down.
2. CT colonography
In this test, a CT machine is used for taking images of the colon after clearing it properly. If there is any kind of abnormalities detected, then conventional colonoscopy might be necessary. CT colonography as compared to colonoscopy is less invasive that can be better tolerated by the patients and has a very good diagnostic accuracy.
3. Flexible sigmoidoscopy
In this test, the doctor makes use of a sigmoidoscope which is flexible in nature that is lighted tube like structure for the examination of the rectum and sigmoid of the affected individual. This test takes only a few minutes which is not painful but might be uncomfortable. A very good care is taken to make sure that the wall of the colon is not perforated.
