Your doctor has several methods to detect colon cancer in both its precancerous and cancerous stages, making this disease easier to treat. ColoScreen is one of these methods, and its results may help determine if a colonoscopy is necessary. Two types of coloscreens are available, and the diet you follow depends on the type of screening your doctor orders.
ColoScreen
ColoScreen is a fecal occult blood test, or FOBT, that is noninvasive, unlike its counterpart the colonoscopy. Lab Tests Online explains that blood in your stool is perhaps the earliest indicator of colon cancer, and a FOBT detects this. Your doctor typically orders a coloscreen to detect colon cancer in its early stages but may also order the test if he believes gastrointestinal bleeding is causing anemia. Two types of FOBT exist: guaiac smear test and flushable reagent pads.
Guaiac Smear Test
A guaiac smear test is the most common FOBT, and it can be performed in the hospital or at home. If the stool sample is collected in the hospital, it is generally done during a routine examination. If you collect the specimen at home, you must collect stool samples three days in a row and place them in a sterile container. You must place a plastic cover over your toilet to catch the stool before it enters the toilet water, which can interfere with the results. Two days prior to the test, including the day of sample collection, you must not eat any red meat or food containing blood, explains the University of California at San Francisco. Cantaloupe, uncooked broccoli, radishes, horseradish and turnips also are prohibited. Seven days before, and the day of the test, do not take high doses of aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. Two days before, discontinue use of enemas or any type of rectal medications. These can all cause occult bleeding, or unseen blood in your stool.
Flushable Reagent Blood Test
The flushable reagent blood test is an at home test that many people prefer because they do not have to collect the stool sample. You simply flush your toilet prior to having a bowel movement and then place the flushable reagent pad over your stool. Once the color of the pad changes, you make note of the color change on the card provided, repeating this procedure for three consecutive bowel movements. You then mail the card to your doctor. Drugs.com states that some drugs may interfere with the results, so check with your doctor before performing the test. The manufacturer of the test may require a specific diet, so read the label carefully.
Results
A positive FOBT can indicate bleeding from diverticulitis, hemorrhoids or inflammatory bowel disease. It also can indicate benign or cancerous tumors in your colon. All are reasons for your doctor to proceed with further examinations, including a colonoscopy, to determine the cause of the blood in your stool. Lab Tests Online explains that blood in your stool is sometimes the only sign of early colon cancer.
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