But the numbers don’t have to be that high. Cancers of the colon and rectum have a survival rate of 90% when detected early.
Screening exams are the best way to find early signs of cancer. More than 90 percent of those with colon cancer are over age 50, so regular screening exams are recommended for men and women beginning at age 50.
Colorectal cancer screenings primarily focus on finding polyps – growths in the colon or rectum. Most polyps are not cancerous. But over time, some types of polyps can turn into cancer. Usually, polyps that are smaller than a pea aren't harmful. But larger polyps could someday become cancer or may already be cancer. To be safe, doctors remove all polyps and test them. [Learn more about Colon
Polyps.]
The most effective form of colorectal cancer screening is colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is an examination of your colon (large intestine) from the lowest part (the rectum) all the way to the lower end of the small intestine. If polyps are found, the doctor will remove them before they have a chance to become cancerous. And, of course, if any cancer is detected during a screening, and immediate plan of action will be drawn up to be sure you receive the most effective treatment. The earlier colon cancer is found, the easier it is to cure.
Conventional Colonoscopy
In a conventional colonoscopy, the doctor inserts a colonoscope – a long, flexible, lighted tube and miniature camera – into the rectum and slowly guides it up through the colon. Pain medication and a mild sedative help you stay relaxed and comfortable during the 30- to 60-minute procedure. A tiny camera in the scope transmits an image of the lining of the colon, so the doctor can examine it on a video monitor. If a polyp or an abnormality is detected, the doctor can remove it or take tissue samples using tiny instruments passed through the scope. [Learn more about Conventional
Colonoscopies.]
Virtual Colonoscopy
Many people just are not comfortable with the idea of a traditional colonoscopy. If you just
can’t bring yourself to have one, virtual colonoscopy may be just the ticket for you.
Virtual colonoscopy (VC) uses x-rays and computers to produce two- and three-dimensional images of the colon (large intestine) from the lowest part (the rectum) all the way to the lower end of the small intestine, and displays them on a computer screen. We can use this procedure to diagnose colon and bowel disease, including
polyps, diverticulosis,
and cancer. At SummitScan, we use a high-speed, multi-slice CT scanner (computed tomography), sometimes called a CAT scan, to perform virtual colonoscopies in just a few short minutes.
The Procedure
On the day before the procedure, you will usually be asked to take laxatives or other oral agents at home to clear stool from your colon. You may also be asked to use a suppository to cleanse your rectum of any remaining fecal matter.
The examination takes about 10 minutes and does not require sedatives. During the procedure:
- The doctor will ask you to lie on your back on a table.
- A thin tube will be inserted into your rectum, and air will be pumped through the tube to inflate the colon for better viewing.
- The table moves through the scanner to produce a series of two-dimensional cross-sections (slices) along the length of the colon. A computer program puts these images together to create a three-dimensional picture that can be viewed on the video screen.
- The scanning procedure is then repeated with you lying on your stomach.
After the examination, the information from the scanner must be processed to create the computer picture or image of your colon. A board certified radiologist will evaluate your results to identify any abnormalities. Results will be sent to you and your physician within 24 hours.
You may resume normal activity after the procedure. If abnormalities are found, a conventional colonoscopy may be necessary to remove the abnormal tissue or take tissue samples.
Advantages of VC
Virtual Colonscopy is more comfortable than conventional colonoscopy for some people because it is minimally-invasive and does not use a colonoscope. As a result, no sedation is needed, and you can return to your usual activities or go home after the procedure without the aid of another person. VC provides clearer, more detailed images than a conventional x-ray using a barium enema – sometimes called a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series. It also takes less time (only a 10-minute procedure) than either a conventional colonoscopy or a lower GI series.
Disadvantages of VC
The doctor cannot take tissue samples or remove polyps
during Virtual Colonoscopy, so a conventional colonoscopy must be performed if abnormalities are found. Also, VC does not show as much detail as a conventional colonoscopy, so polyps smaller than 10 millimeters in diameter may not show up on the images.
Points to Remember
- Colorectal cancer develops with few or no symptoms in the beginning.
- Screening can detect cancer before symptoms are present.
- Screening can prevent cancer by removing pre-cancerous growths (polyps).
- Colorectal cancer is most common in men and women aged 50 years and older and the risk increases with age, with 93% of cases diagnosed in people over age 50.
- All men and women age 50 and over should have regular screenings.
Schedule A Virtual Colonoscopy
If you’d like to schedule an appointment to have a Virtual Colonoscopy performed, call SummitScan at (816) 55-IMAGE (554-6243).
SummitScan is a high-tech health screening center that specializes in early detection of potentially life-threatening diseases. It is located on the lower level of Midwest Gastroenterology. Our Philips multislice CT scanner helps detect diseases and other health conditions – sometimes before they even cause symptoms.
We also perform traditional diagnostic CT scans. If your doctor says you need a CT, consider scheduling it here, in a comfortable, private facility. We work hard to stay on schedule, so YOU can stay on schedule!
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For More Information
To learn more about this topic, please visit:
American College of Gastroenterology
(ACG)
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
(IFFGD)
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