Colon Cancer Screening

About one in 23 men and one in 26 women develop colorectal cancer at some point during their lifetime. At Platinum Digestive Health in Rancho Cucamonga, California, board-certified gastroenterologists Bhavesh Patel, MD, and Hussein Abidali, DO, provide colon cancer screening and treatments that reduce your chance of severe or life-threatening complications. Schedule an appointment at Platinum Digestive Health by phone or request one online today.

What is colon cancer screening?

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that develops when abnormal cells develop and replicate in your colon, the longest part of your large intestine. When you reach a certain age or have specific risk factors or symptoms of colon cancer, screening is vital to ensure you maintain exceptional health.

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

The common signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Changes in bowel habits
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Blood in your stool
• Gas
• Cramping
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Feeling like your bowel doesn’t empty completel

You may not have any symptoms initially, which is why routine colon cancer screening is so important. 

Who benefits from colon cancer screening?

Your provider may suggest colon cancer screening if you have specific risk factors, such as:

• Family history of colon cancer
• Being over 50
• Previous colon cancer
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease
• High-fat diet
• Low-fiber diet
• Being sedentary
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Radiation therapy for cancer

Adopting healthy habits is the best way to minimize your risk of developing colon cancer, though you may not be able to prevent it.

What happens during colon cancer screening?

You must properly prepare for colon cancer screening to ensure the procedure is effective. You may need to avoid solid food the day before your exam, adjust your medications, and use a laxative to empty your colon.

The various forms of colon cancer screening include:

Colonoscopy

During a colonoscopy, your provider inserts a long flexible tube into your rectum. They use a tiny camera attached to the tube to detect abnormalities. Your provider may remove suspicious lesions during the procedure, often lasting 30-60 minutes.

Stool DNA test

A stool DNA test looks for cells that may indicate colon cancer or precancerous conditions. The test can also detect blood in your stool, which is a sign of colon cancer. Simply collect a sample of your stool at home and send it to a nearby lab for testing. 

Virtual colonoscopy

A virtual colonoscopy produces CT images of the inside of your intestine using a small tube. That allows your provider to detect problems in your colon or rectum that may indicate cancer. 

Colon capsule endoscopy 

During a colon capsule endoscopy, you swallow a tiny, pill-sized camera. It takes pictures of the inside of your intestine as it travels through your digestive tract.

After you undergo colon cancer screening, your Platinum Digestive Health specialist reviews the results and lets you know if you need further diagnostic testing or colon cancer treatment.

Schedule colon cancer screening at Platinum Digestive Health by phone or request one online today.