colon cancer symptom : Colon Cancer Detection

The first step in evaluating the condition of someone with suspected colon cancer is a complete medical history and physical exam. To aid in colon cancer detection, your physician will ask you some questions about your symptoms, any additional health problems you may have, and your risk factors for colon cancer.

Several tests may be performed to help your physician with colon cancer detection including a physical exam, digital rectal exam (DRE), fecal occult blood test (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, double contrast barium enema, colonoscopy, CT scan, PET scan, complete blood count (CBC), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) testing. These tests provide your physician with the information they need to properly detect colon cancer.

During colon cancer treatment, you will continue to have diagnostic imaging tests to monitor your response to therapy and to your treatment plan. Once your treatment is complete, you will continue routine diagnostic tests to detect for the recurrence of colon cancer. You must be diagnosed with colon cancer prior to becoming a patient at CTCA.

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