Colorectal Web
What is Colorectal Cancer?
How can I check for it?
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get more information?

Glossary

University of Michigan Health System Comprehensive Cancer Center

The good news is that there's something you can do about colorectal cancer...

 Tests SummaryFlexible SigmoidoscopyFecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)Double Contrast Barium Enima (DCBE)Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy

Advantages

  • Complete examination of colon
  • Most accurate
  • Need to do only every 10 years

Things to Consider

  • Requires clear liquid diet, laxatives and/or enemas for 1-2 days before test
  • Very painful, requires anesthesia
  • Expensive, $800-$1,600
  • Done at hospital
  • Usually miss a day of work
Colonoscopy examines the rectum and entire colon using an instrument called a colonoscope. The procedure is done in a hospital and takes 30-60 minutes. A lighted, flexible tube is inserted through the anus and allows the doctor to see if there are any polyps or cancer. During a colonoscopy, a doctor can remove polyps and may insert a small biopsy forceps through the tube to remove a small amount of tissue for examination.

Before having this test, patients are given a sedative. This makes them feel little pain or discomfort during the procedure. Colonoscopy is often performed as a follow-up to other tests that check for colorectal cancer. One option recommended by the American Cancer Society is that patients have a colonoscopy every 10 years along with yearly fecal occult blood tests (FOBT).

I'd like to take this test

I want to learn more about:

I need help choosing a screening method
Colorectal Web
University of Michigan Health System
Comprehensive Cancer Center

Please e-mail comments or questions about this site to coloweb@umich.edu