The Importance of Testing for Colon Cancer

Because Colon Cancer is a "Silent Killer," an FOBT Test Should be Done Every Year

Nobody likes to talk about bowel movements or cancer, and nobody likes to get a colonoscopy, but according to the American Cancer Society, “Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the U.S.”, so that makes it worth talking about. Even though some find it embarrassing, it’s important to become knowledgeable about colon cancer and testing for colon cancer.

Colon cancer has a 90 to 95 percent cure rate when caught early, and there’s the catch. Many people have no symptoms until the cancer is advanced—and that’s what makes it so deadly. Colon cancer is known as the “silent killer.” Although a family history of colon cancer increases the risk of colon cancer, it’s estimated that 75 percent of colon cancers occur in people who are 50 or older who have no family history.

Most colon cancers originate in polyps found in the colon. These polyps are usually benign (not cancerous), but can become cancerous. Having a lot of polyps in the colon is a risk factor for colon cancer.

The Dreaded Test - Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a colon cancer screening test that checks for polyps in the colon and rectum. However, doctors tend not to recommend a colonoscopy as often as they should because of the embarrassment factor and because a colonoscopy is invasive and uncomfortable: a flexible tube with a tiny camera on it is inserted into the rectum and pushed up into the colon in order to look for polyps and other signs of cancer. There’s also an attachment that can snip off polyps if the doctor thinks this is necessary.

In spite of the discomfort and embarrassment associated with a colonoscopy, everyone should have one when they turn 50, 60 and 70 years old.

The Other Colon Cancer Test - FOBT
There is another way to test for colon cancer. It’s not as direct a test as a colonoscopy, and it’s not a substitute for a colonoscopy, but it is one that more people are willing to do more often. It’s inexpensive and easy to do.

One of the most common warning signs of colon cancer is blood in the stool. However, there may not be enough blood to be visible until colon cancer is advanced. That’s where the EZ Detect™ test comes in. It’s a simple, inexpensive test that can detect even very small amounts of blood in the stool, and it’s FDA-approved for home use. These types of tests are called fecal occult blood tests (FOBT).

Physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies utilize the test. Unlike some other FOBTs, EZ DETECT™ has no dietary restrictions before or during the testing period.

In addition to colon cancer, blood in the stool can be a symptom of bleeding ulcers, hemorrhoids, polyps, colitis, diverticulitis and fissures. Therefore, if you do the EZ Detect  ™ test and it shows positive for blood, your first step is to call your doctor and make an appointment. Together you can determine the origin of the blood.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force colon cancer screening guidelines recommends a colonoscopy once every ten years, as well as an FOBT every year. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and The American Cancer Society recommend testing every year for colorectal disease after the age of 50 for men and women. If there is a family history of colorectal cancer or intestinal bleeding, the test should be performed more often or as a doctor may recommend.

Here's where you can get an EZ DETECT™ test kit.