A colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for detecting colorectal cancer and is the recommended way to get screened. A long, lighted tube called a colonoscope is used to check the entire colon. The doctor can remove any polyps that may be found or run further tests if anything else looks abnormal.

 

Other tests used to detect colorectal cancer include:

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)-The FOBT is used to detect traces of blood in your stool. The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a newer but similar kind of stool test.

 

Flexible sigmoidoscopy-The doctor uses a lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope to check for polyps inside the rectum and lower colon.

 

Double-contrast barium enema (DCBE)-A DCBE is an x-ray of the colon and rectum. The patient is given an enema with a liquid solution called barium. Air is then pumped into the colon to cause it to expand. X-rays are taken to identify polyps or abnormalities in the colon or rectum.

 

Additional Tests: If one of these tests reveal polyps or other irregularities, your doctor may recommend a biopsy, or analysis, of  tissues taken from the colon. X-rays, blood tests and imaging tests, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),  angiography, and CT and PET scans, may also be useful in diagnosis.