What are screening tests for colorectal cancer?
Screening tests are used to find cancers before they are large enough to cause any warning signs. Because finding cancer early means that you’re more likely to be cured, it is important for you to have screening tests. Your doctor will choose the tests that are best for you. Digital Rectal Exam. In this exam, your doctor uses a gloved finger to find any growths in your rectum. Because this exam can find less than 10 percent of colorectal cancers, it must be used along with another screening test. Fecal Occult Blood Test. In this test, your stool is checked for blood that you can’t see. If blood is found, another test is done to look for a polyp, a cancer or another cause of bleeding. Many things that you eat can make this test turn out positive even though you don’t really have blood in your stool (this is called a “false-positive” test). These things include some raw vegetables, horseradish, rare red meat, iron supplements and aspirin. Don’t eat these things for two days before you ha
