Colon and Rectal Cancers - Dietary Factors

Highlights	Treatment	Radiation Treatment
Introduction	Surgery	Follow-up Testing
Causes	Chemotherapy	Treatment for Metastasized Colorectal Cancer
Risk Factors and Prevention	Radiation	Resources
Symptoms	Resources	References
Diagnosis and Screening	References

Diagnosis and Screening

Colon and rectal cancers can be detected early using the screening tests discussed below. These tests can find precancerous polyps and colorectal cancers at stages early enough for complete removal and cure.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines

The American Cancer Society (ACS), the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) all have made recommendations concerning screening for colorectal cancer.

These organizations recommend very similar test options and schedules. Discuss with your doctor which test is most appropriate for you. (See descriptions of screening tests below for more information about the individual tests.)

text continues below

Screening for adults with average risk for colorectal cancer. Screening should begin at age 50 years and older. (Note: The ACG recommends African-American men begin at age 45.) Only the USPTF addresses when screening can stop. The USPTF does not recommend routine screening for adults ages 76 - 85 years old who have had negative screenings since age 50. They do not recommend any screening in people over age 85.

Several options and schedules for screening are recommended. The choices include:

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is recommended every 5 - 10 years, depending on the individual organization.
Colonoscopy performed every 10 years is recommended by all organizations.
Double-contrast barium enema (DCBE) performed every 5 years is recommended by the American Cancer Society.
CT colonography (CTC), also called virtual colonoscopy, every 5 years is recommended by the ACS and the ACG.

The stool tests listed below must be followed by a colonoscopy if stool test results are abnormal. (Note: ACG considers these stool tests less desirable for screening than the tests listed above.)

Guiaiac-based fecal occult blood test (FOBT) with high test sensitivity every year is recommended by all three organizations
Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) with high sensitivity every year is recommended by the ACS and ACG.
Stool DNA test (sDNA) is recommended by the ACG every 3 years.