

Fecal Occult Blood Test

Individuals are provided a kit to take home that has instructions on how to take stool samples. These stool samples are examined in the lab for traces of blood. A positive result requires further evaluation.

Fecal Immunochemical Test
The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a newer test to find blood in the stool. The test is essentially performed like a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), but the results tend to be more accurate.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
A sigmoidoscope is a slender, flexible tube about the thickness of a finger that has a camera at the tip. It is inserted into the lower part of the colon through the rectum. The sigmoidoscope provides doctors with a view of the inner wall of the rectum and lower colon, allowing them to search for polyps or cancerous tissue. The tube is about two feet long so doctors can examine half of the colon. The test is performed in the physician’s office or in the hospital as an outpatient procedure and can be uncomfortable, but is generally not painful.



Prior to the exam, patients will need to prepare their bowels. This includes following a special diet and using laxatives to clean out the bowels.


Double Contrast Barium Enema

Imaging Exams
If screening exams suggest the presence of cancer, advanced imaging techniques such as an ultrasound, MRI, PET scans and CT scans are used to determine if the cancer has spread to other organs and tissues.