American Cancer Society<\/a><\/u> recommends regular colon cancer screenings beginning at age 45, although patients with higher risk may need to begin screening earlier. There are several FDA-approved tests, including stool tests, computed tomography (CT) scans, and flexible sigmoidoscopy.<\/p>The most common screening is a colonoscopy. In this test, a gastroenterologist uses a thin, flexible tube to examine the inside of the rectum and colon, remove polyps before they grow or become cancerous, and biopsy tissue for lab testing.<\/p>
Before undergoing a colonoscopy, a patient will prepare by drinking a fluid that helps clean out the colon. They will need to fast before the procedure and stop taking certain medications. Because the patient is under anesthesia during the procedure, they will need someone to drive them home afterward.<\/p>
A colonoscopy may be performed at a hospital or surgery center. On the day of the procedure, the patient will receive an IV to administer anesthesia and pain medication. While the patient is under anesthesia, a doctor will use a colonoscope to examine the lining of the bowels. If the doctor finds any polyps, they can be removed right away. If no polyps are found, a colonoscopy usually lasts just about 30 minutes. Most patients can wait ten years until their next colonoscopy if their procedure does not reveal any polyps or other issues.<\/p>","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/colon-cancer\/#Answer3"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/colon-cancer\/#Question3"},{"@type":"Question","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","name":"How Is Colon Cancer Diagnosed? Answer","text":"
If a routine screening indicates colon cancer or a patient has related symptoms, their doctor may perform several diagnostic tests. These can include:<\/p>
- Blood work<\/li>
- Imaging tests, such as an X-ray or CT scan<\/li>
- Diagnostic colonoscopy<\/li>
- Biopsy<\/li> <\/ul>","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/colon-cancer\/#Answer4"},"name":"How Is Colon Cancer Diagnosed?","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/colon-cancer\/#Question4"},{"@type":"Question","name":"How Is Colon Cancer Treated?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","name":"How Is Colon Cancer Treated? Answer","text":"Colorectal cancer is graded from Stage 0 to IV, depending on severity. A Stage 0 diagnosis, in which cancer has not spread beyond the lining of the colon, can be treated with a polypectomy to remove lesions. More advanced stages of cancer may require a surgical procedure called a colectomy in which the cancerous portion of the colon is removed. Some patients will receive chemotherapy or radiation in addition to surgery.","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/colon-cancer\/#Answer5"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/colon-cancer\/#Question5"}],"@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/colon-cancer\/#FAQPage"},"name":"Colon Cancer Treatment","description":"Colorectal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States. Fortunately, it is treatable, especially when detected early through a routine colonoscopy. At Bergen Medical Associates, a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) in New Jersey, patients can receive comprehensive primary care and a wide range of specialty services, including gastroenterology care and colon cancer screening.","url":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/colon-cancer\/","relatedLink":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/appointment-request\/","inLanguage":"EN","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/colon-cancer\/"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/colon-cancer\/#BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Conditions","item":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Colon Cancer Treatment","item":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/conditions\/colon-cancer\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]