See your doctor at age 50 to begin self-screening, and earlier if you believe you have additional risk factors (in which case your doctor will let you know at what age you are eligible to begin).
One stool test is called the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT). This looks for blood in your stool that is not visible to the naked eye. It is the most commonly used self-screening test for colon cancer. [3] X Trustworthy Source National Cancer Institute An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support Go to source Another stool test option is called the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). This is almost the same as FOBT, except instead of detecting blood via heme it detects it via antibodies directed at human hemoglobin. [4] X Trustworthy Source National Cancer Institute An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support Go to source The final self-screening stool test option is called Cologuard. This evaluates both for the presence of blood in the stool, as well as for DNA that has been correlated to a higher risk for colon cancer. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Cancer Institute An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support Go to source It is quite new and therefore not currently recommended as the standard of care; however, studies indicate that the new Cologuard test could potentially have a greater ability to detect colon cancer than either the FOBT or the FIT tests.
One way to collect bowel samples more easily is to place a piece of plastic wrap over the toilet bowl, allowing it to hang just above the water level. After your bowel movement, you can then collect the stool sample (in the required amount) before flushing the rest down the toilet. Ensure that no urine contaminates your stool sample.
The stool test is generally repeated every one to two years for people 50 and older, in order to ensure regular screening. [8] X Research source Make a note to yourself to follow up with your family doctor again at this time for a repeat stool test.
If your colonoscopy shows nothing suspicious, you are in the clear and safe to go on with life as normal. If your colonoscopy reveals colon cancer, you will need to consult a medical oncologist (a cancer specialist) about how best to treat you colon cancer.
If you test positive for blood in your stool, there is a chance that you have colon cancer, but it is not diagnostic. If possible, try not to worry too much until you have followed through with the actual colonoscopy. Also, the good news is that, if you receive regular screening, colon cancer can be caught early in the stages where it can be treated and cured (90% of colon cancers caught early are able to be cured). [13] X Expert Source Joshua Ellenhorn, MDBoard Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist Expert Interview. 28 April 2020.
