How is colon cancer diagnosed?
During a physical exam, your doctor checks for abdominal masses or an enlarged liver and enlarged lymph nodes in the groin. Your doctor may also do a rectal exam. For this test, he or she will insert a finger in to your rectum to feel for lumps. When there is blood in the stool or a suspicious lump felt, doctors usually recommend either a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. These tests use a flexible tube with a light and a viewing lens or camera to see inside your bowel. A sigmoidoscope can see the lower part of the large bowel. If a polyp or cancer is found, this test is usually followed with a colonoscopy. A sigmoidoscopy usually takes about 15 minutes. You may be given a mild sedative. A colonoscopy can examine the entire colon. If any polyps or suspicious areas are found, they are removed or a tissue sample is taken. These biopsied tissues are then checked under a microscope for cancer. This procedure is usually done when you are sedated. Preparing for either test usually involves drink
