Guide To Getting A Colonoscopy

Alternative Tests For The Colon

The most common test to detect colon cancer and other abnormalities is a colonoscopy. It is the one that most individuals think of when they consider colon cancer screening. However, it is not the only option. This is vital information, as some patients are ineligible for a colonoscopy. In addition, alternative tests are less invasive than a colonoscopy. This helps get more patients to screen themselves regularly for colon cancer and other colon problems.

One alternative is fecal immunochemical testing. It analyzes a stool sample from the patient and checks for blood in the sample with antibodies. A similar alternative is fecal occult blood testing, which also involves a stool sample. Another option is a sigmoidoscopy. This is similar to a colonoscopy, though it checks a smaller part of the colon. A sigmoidoscopy is invasive and requires fasting and medication. Some patients may choose a stool DNA test, which looks at blood and specific DNA in a sample of a patient's stool. If this test returns abnormal results, patients may still need a colonoscopy.

Learn more about the colonoscopy timeline next.