Colon Cancer Screening

The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a colon cancer screening test used to check for the possibility of colon cancer. The colon cancer screening is recommended annually for men and women after age 50, and even earlier for people who may be at high risk for colon cancer. A colon cancer screening detects blood in the stool by collecting a sample, which is then analyzed. The colon cancer screening kit from HealthCheckUSA will send directly to you. After collecting samples, simply drop the colon cancer screening kit in a pre-addressed envelope to the laboratory and await the results. To avoid getting inaccurate results, avoid taking a colon cancer screening is you're have diarrhea, ulcers, on your period.

The purpose of the colon cancer screening is to detect gastrointestinal bleeding and aid in the early diagnosis of colon cancer. Early diagnosis depends on reporting to your doctor suspicious symptoms, such as any visible sign of blood in your stool, persistent changes in bowel habits, constipation or diarrhea lasting more than two weeks, persistent abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss.

In the early stages, colon cancer usually develops without symptoms, causing no pain and giving no warning signals other than slight bleeding. The amount of blood in the stool may be so small that it cannot be seen. The FOBT detects microscopic blood levels in your stool. If blood is detected in the colon cancer screening, further diagnostic tests may be necessary to locate the source of bleeding, such as a colonoscopy. If diagnosed early, colon cancer can be cured, and even prevented by removing polyps. A colon cancer screening from HealthCheckUSA is an essential tool for your preventative health.

Men and women are at equal risk of developing colon cancer, but the risk increases significantly with age. Colon cancers can bleed intermittently, so colon cancer screening accuracy increases if the test is performed on three consecutive bowel movements. Certain guidelines should be followed prior to the colon cancer screening, such as increased roughage in the diet, and avoidance of red meats, aspirin, iron supplements, and vitamin C supplements, which can all cause false-positive readings. A colon cancer screening is typically recommended once a year for those over 50 years old. Your doctor may request more a more frequent colon cancer screening, based on family history.

A negative colon cancer screening does not absolutely rule out the possibility of colon cancer, and a positive colon cancer screening does not necessarily mean cancer. Blood in the stool, as shown on a colon cancer screening, can also be a sign a hemorroids, anal fissures, Crohn's disease, and excessive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Contact your physician if you have any symptoms or abnormal results from the colon cancer screening.

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This is a test kit that HealthCheckUSA will send directly to you. After collecting samples, simply drop them in a pre-addressed envelope to the laboratory and await the results.