Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer causes few or no symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage but is easily treatable if caught early. At his offices in McKinney and Allen, Texas, board-certified gastroenterologist Manmeet Padda, MD, FASGE, performs colon cancer screening procedures like colonoscopy to identify the earliest stages of colon cancer. Call your nearest office today to schedule colon cancer screening with Dr. Padda, or use the online booking form to request a consultation.

What is colon cancer screening?

Colon cancer screening identifies early-stage cancerous tissue in your colon (large intestine) and rectum.

Colon cancer is most common in adults over 50. It typically develops from small abnormal growths (polyps) that form on the colon and rectum’s inner lining. Polyps aren’t harmful in themselves but can sometimes mutate and become cancerous.

Removing polyps before they mutate or soon after prevents the disease from metastasizing (spreading to other organs). Advanced colorectal cancer can be fatal, but early treatment has very high success rates.

Colon polyps don’t cause any symptoms, so colon cancer screenings are vital preventive care measures.

How often should I undergo colon cancer screening?

Current colorectal cancer screening recommendations are that adults should start colon cancer screening by age 45. People with risk factors for colon cancer might need to begin screening earlier — Dr. Padda will advise you. Risk factors include:

• Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Diabetes
• Excess body weight
• Smoking
• Inactive lifestyle
• Family history of colorectal cancer

Screening is also vital if you develop colon cancer symptoms, such as recurring constipation or diarrhea, rectal bleeding, lower abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.

What does colon cancer screening involve?

Several colon cancer screening options are available. Dr. Padda determines which test best suits you based on age, medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms.

Colon cancer screening methods include the following.

Stool tests

Fecal occult blood tests are noninvasive lab tests that check for blood in a stool sample. They’re the simplest way to detect problems, but they don’t confirm colorectal cancer because bleeding could also result from conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. You must undergo a colonoscopy if you have a positive fecal occult blood test.

Colonoscopy

During this procedure, Dr. Padda inserts a colonoscope (flexible fiberoptic tube) into your rectum. The colonoscope has a light and tiny camera on its end that sends back clear images of your colon lining to a screen for Dr. Padda to view. He identifies polyps and other abnormalities and can often remove them.

Another option is capsule endoscopy, where you swallow a pill containing a miniaturized wireless camera. The camera takes multiple pictures as it travels through your digestive tract, enabling Dr. Padda to identify problems higher up your gastrointestinal system.

Call the office to learn more about colon cancer screening, or request your test online today.