26 Mar CRC Screening
Posted at 12:53h
in Walk With a Doc
Get Your BUTT Checked: March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Click on the name of each colorectal cancer screening method to learn more.
| METHOD | WHAT & HOW | FREQUENCY | PROS | CONS | SENSITIVITY/ SPECIFICITY FOR DETECTING CANCER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonoscopy | Simple and safe procedure in which your doctor uses a long tube with a light and camera to detect polyps | Every 5-10 years depending on whether polyps are found | Views the entire colon. Polyps can be removed during the procedure if found | Dietary restrictions and prep to clean out the colon is needed | Sens 95% Spec 86% |
| Stool DNA | Tests for abnormal DNA and blood in stool. Collect bowel movement and send back to the lab for analysis using collection apparatus provided with kit. | Every 3 years (according to ACS guidelines) | No prep, dietary restrictions, or changes to medications necessary. Greater accuracy than FIT. | More expensive than FIT if test not covered by insurance. Follow-up colonoscopy necessary if test indicates precancer or cancer. | Sens 92% Spec 87% |
| Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT or iFBOT) | Tests for blood. Swab bowel movement and place on card | Annually | No prep. Done at home. Fairly Inexpensive | Accuracy. Need a colonoscopy if blood is detected. Requires 1-2 separate samples | Sens 73.8% Spec 96.4% |
| Guaiac Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) | Tests for blood. Swab bowel movement and place on card | Annually | No prep. Done at home. Inexpensive | Accuracy, Dietary restrictions, Need a colonoscopy if blood is detected. Requires 3 separate samples | Sens 70% Spec 92.5% |
| Flexible Sigmoidoscopy | Detects polyps. Done at a doctors’ office | Every 5 years, may be combined with annual stool test | No sedation required. Can biopsy if small polyp detected | Only views part of the colon. Need a colonoscopy if larger polyps or other issues are detected | Sens 95% Spec 87% Only left sided cancers |
| Virtual Colonoscopy | Uses x-rays and computers to take 2- or 3-D images of your colon and rectum | Every 5 years | Quicker and less invasive than colonoscopy. No sedation is needed | Expensive and not covered by all insurance carriers, Dietary restrictions 1-3 days before the procedure, full bowel prep is required, If a polyp is found, will need a colonoscopy | Sens 84% Spec 88% |
| Double Contrast Barium Enema | Air and barium are pumped into your rectum. The solution will show polyps or tumors on X-rays. | Every 5-10 years | Done without sedation. Less expensive than colonoscopy | Laxative preparation is required. Polyps cannot be removed during the procedure. If polyps are found, a colonoscopy will be needed | Very low sensitivity and specificity |