Most Important Choice — Schedule a Colorectal Exam

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

ROCHESTER, Minn. — For many women, scheduling a screening for a colorectal cancer isn't on the radar. Some mistakenly believe it's a man's disease.

That misperception could be deadly. Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths among women, after lung cancer and breast cancer. And, a majority of Americans who could benefit from colorectal screening aren't getting tested regularly. Many have never been screened.

Colon cancer occurs in the large intestine, the lower part of the digestive system. Rectal cancer involves the last six inches of the colon. Cancer that begins in either organ may be called colorectal or colon cancer. For people age 50 and older, or those at high risk, regular screening can help prevent colon cancer or detect it early, when it can be most treatable.

The August issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource covers pros and cons of the two categories of screening tests:

• Those that can find both polyps and cancer, such as colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy and double-contrast barium enema. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous clumps of cells called polyps.
• Those that mainly find cancer, such as the fecal occult blood test and fecal immunochemical test.

Two new colon cancer screenings are: CT colonoscopy (also called virtual colonoscopy) and DNA-based stool testing, a simple noninvasive exam done at home.

Colonoscopy remains a preferred screening method. The doctor uses a long, flexible lighted tube with a small video camera on the end to view the entire colon and rectum. Special tools can be passed through the tube to remove polyps and take tissue samples.

The best screening choice depends on personal health history and personal preference. Any form of regular screening improves the odds of avoiding colorectal cancer or catching it in the earliest, most treatable stages.

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Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9751, or visit www.bookstore.mayoclinic.com.

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