Colonoscopy vs. At-Home Colon Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Regular screenings can detect colon cancer early when treatment is most effective. For individuals with average risk, a colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years starting at age 45.
Two primary screening methods exist: colonoscopy and at-home stool tests.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. It involves a flexible, lighted tube inserted into the rectum that’s used to examine the entire large intestine. This allows doctors to see changes in the colon and rectum, such as polyps, cancer, inflammation, ulcers and bleeding.
Benefits: Colonoscopies are highly accurate in detecting polyps and early-stage cancer. They also allow for the removal of polyps during the procedure, preventing them from potentially developing into cancer.
Considerations: Requires sedation and may have recovery time.
At-home stool tests
Stool tests can be done using a sample provided from the comfort of your home. You send the sample to a lab, where it is analyzed for the presence of blood, colon cancer genes or a combination of both.
Benefits: Convenient and easy to provide a sample at home.
Considerations: Less accurate than a colonoscopy as it may produce false positives or negatives, requiring further investigation. If positive results are found, you must follow up with a colonoscopy. Stool tests should not be performed on people with a personal history of polyps, family history of colon cancer, history of bleeding (such as hemorrhoids) or other high-risk conditions (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
The verdict
"Colonoscopy is generally considered the most effective screening method due to its ability to visualize the colon and remove polyps directly," said Cameron Ditty, M.D. a gastroenterologist with Firelands Health. “Stool kit testing often does not detect polyps until they are cancerous and surgery (removal of part of the colon) is the only option.”
However, at-home stool tests can be a valuable option for specific individuals. Discuss your options with your doctor to determine the most suitable screening method based on your age, risk factors and personal preferences.
If you have concerns about when to get your first colonoscopy, talk to your primary care physician. To schedule a colonoscopy, call Firelands Health Gastroenterology at 419-627-0207.
