Cancer screening is an integral part of cancer prevention and early detection. It can help find cancers early when they are more likely to be cured. Screening tests find cancer in people who don’t have any symptoms. There are several different types of cancer screenings. Each type of cancer has its own recommended screening test or tests. Cancer screening tests have different levels of effectiveness. Some tests are better at finding cancer early, while others are better at finding more advanced cancers. If your doctor recommends cancer screening, you need to talk to a specialist in cancer screening in Deerfield Beach to determine the proper procedure. In this article, we look at the different cancer screening methods.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a test that uses a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end to look inside your rectum and colon. This test can find polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon and rectum. Polyps may become cancerous over time, so it is crucial to find them early. Colonoscopy is the best screening test for colorectal cancer. It can also prevent colorectal cancer by removing polyps before turning into cancer.
When preparing for a colonoscopy, you will need to follow a special diet and take medicine to clean out your colon. The night before the procedure, you will need to drink a large amount of a solution that contains laxatives. This will help ensure that your colon is empty so the doctor can get a clear view.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is similar to a colonoscopy, but it uses a shorter, less flexible tube. This test can only look at the lower part of the colon. It is not as effective as a colonoscopy in finding polyps or early cancers. It helps find cancer in the lower part of the colon and rectum.
Before the procedure, you will need to follow a special diet and take medicine to clean out your colon. The night before the procedure, you will need to drink a large amount of a solution that contains laxatives. This will help ensure that your colon is empty so the doctor can get a clear view.
CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy)
CT colonography, also called virtual colonoscopy, is a test that uses a CT scan to look inside your rectum and colon. A CT scan is an x-ray test that takes pictures of your organs from different angles. This test can find polyps and early cancers in the colon and rectum. It is not as good as a colonoscopy at finding polyps, but it is better than a flexible sigmoidoscopy at finding cancer.
Virtual colonoscopy can be used instead of a regular colonoscopy in some cases. You will not need to take any special preparation for the test, but you may need to drink a contrast material before the scan. This will help the doctor see the images better. It also may help to have a stool sample tested for blood before the procedure.
In summary, cancer screening is vital for the early detection and prevention of cancer. There are several different cancer screenings, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The most common cancer screening methods are colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and CT colonography. Talk to your doctor to see which cancer screening test is proper for you.
