Screening of Colorectal Cancer

Screening not only helps find early stage colorectal cancer but can also prevent some other cancers. Tests include a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), f

Screening not only helps find early stage colorectal cancer but can also prevent some other cancers. Tests include a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, and a colonoscopy. In this video, Dr. Roshini Raj explains what these tests are like and how an overall screening may go.

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This video features Roshini Raj, MD. Dr. Raj is a gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine, and an attending physician at NYU Langone Medical Center.

Duration: 4:17. Last Updated On: June 7, 2018, 2:26 p.m.

Reviewed by: Holly Atkinson, MD, Preeti Parikh, MD . Review date: May 18, 2017

00:00 [MUSIC]
00:07 Screening for colorectal cancer is the best way to catch these conditions early
00:11 and get them treated with the best success.
00:14 Here's Dr. Roshini Raj with these tests and some prevention steps.
00:18 >> Screening not only helps doctors help find early-stage colorectal cancers,
00:22 it can also help prevent some cancers.
00:24 Now, I know the idea of these tests may not be comfortable and it may be a little
00:29 embarrassing, but they are so important in keeping you healthy and cancer-free.
00:34 The first is called an FOBT or fecal occult blood test.
00:38 This is used to find small amounts of blood in the stool.
00:41 Occult means hidden, since you won't be able to see if there's blood present.
00:46 Typically, you'll be given a kit to take stool samples at home,
00:49 and then the kit is then sent to a lab for further testing.
00:53 Flexible sigmoidoscopy.
00:55 A sigmoidoscope is a flexible and thin tube with a tiny camera.
00:59 It's inserted into the lower part of the colon through your rectum.
01:02 The tube is about two feet long, and
01:04 allows your doctor to see about half of your colon.
01:07 This test can be uncomfortable, but it's usually not painful.
01:10 Before the test, you will need a laxative to clean out the lower colon.
01:15 Colonoscopy.
01:16 A colonoscope is a longer version of the sigmoidoscope,
01:19 making a colonoscopy the most thorough test for colorectal cancer.
01:24 Your doctor will give you a medicine that can either make you very relaxed or
01:27 put you to sleep so you wont feel any discomfort.
01:31 Before the test,
01:32 you'll need to drink special fluids to clear the colon of all waste material.
01:36 A great benefit of this test is that we can remove polyps right there on the spot.
01:41 This way they don't stay inside your body and have a chance to grow into cancer.
01:46 A barium enema.
01:47 For this test, you're given an enema with a dye called barium which will be used to
01:51 coat your colon and rectum.
01:54 Then, x-rays, which pick up on that dye are taken to look for
01:57 polyps or signs of cancer.
02:00 And finally, there's a newer test called a virtual colonoscopy,
02:03 this is a CT scan of your colon.
02:06 It can be used to look at your colon for
02:07 anything unusual, and doesn't involve any use of scopes or cameras.
02:12 But, you may need a traditional colonoscopy if your doctor finds any
02:15 abnormalities like polyps.
02:18 While some factors put certain people at a higher risk of colorectal cancer,
02:22 everyone needs to be screened.
02:24 Remember that 80% of colorectal cancers happen in
02:27 people aren't considered high-risk.
02:30 If you do have some risk factors, talk to your doctor about screening earlier and
02:35 more often.
02:35 But for the majority of people, the following guideline should be followed.
02:40 According to the american cancer society,
02:42 you should have one of the following tests beginning when you're 50 years old.
02:46 A yearly FOBT, flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.
02:51 In fact, it's prefered you do both a yearly FOBT and
02:54 a flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.
02:58 A barium enemy every five years, or a colonoscopy every ten years and
03:03 this is really considered the best test.
03:06 I know those are a lot of options and if you're not sure which one is right for
03:09 you, you should talk to your doctor.
03:11 The most important point is that you get screened.
03:15 You can also lower your risk by taking a few prevention steps.
03:19 First, eat plenty of fiber like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
03:24 Fiber is also called roughage because it's tough for the body to digest, but
03:28 it helps move waste matter through and out of your colon, like a cleaning agent.
03:33 Fiber, more servings of fruits and vegetables a day is a good goal.
03:37 And here is a tip an apple is one serving, and so is a banana.
03:41 Limit your fat, especially saturated fat, fats from red meat, milk and
03:46 cheese and some cooking oils are the most saturated.
03:50 Stay physically active.
03:52 Exercise actually stimulates the movement through your bowel, and
03:56 reduces the amount of time your colon is exposed to toxins that may cause cancer.
04:00 Staying cancer free means taking an active role in your own health.
04:04 Eat well, stay active, and follow the guidelines for screening.
04:09 >> Most Colorectal cancers grow and develop slowly, so
04:12 take these prevention steps and get screening to catch polyps early.
04:15 It could save your life.