Colo-rectal cancer: Know in the 9 tests used to the diagnose it.

Colo-rectal cancer: Know in the 9 tests used to the diagnose it.

Colo-rectal cancer or a colon cancer changes and grows out of the control. Along with a physical examination, here are 9 tests that may be used to the diagnose it.

Cancer of the colon begins in the large intestine when the healthy cells grow out of the control and form a mass called a tumor. The tumor can be a benign or cancerous. Since in the latter is a malignant, spreads to other parts of the body while in the benign one does grow but will not spread. These changes usually develop over in the years and can be a triggered by both genetic and environmental in a factors. However, at times, in the changes can be occur in a matter of the months or few years if a person has an a uncommon inherited syndrome.

What are the early warning signs of the colon cancer?

Colo-rectal cancer usually has no symptoms in the early stages of the disease and for in this reason, in the condition can go undetected. When symptoms do appear, they are likely to the vary in a different individuals depending on the location and size of the tumor in the large intestine.

Some of the common signs and symptoms of the colon cancer include change in your bowel habits, blood in your stool, abdominal discomfort, weakness or a fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. While there are multiple tests for a diagnosing in the condition, your doctor may be choose a particular diagnostic test based on the certain factors like, type of the cancer, signs and symptoms, medical and the family history, age and overall health, etc.

Let’s learn more about in the different diagnostic tests for a correctional cancer:

1. Colonoscopy test

Colonoscopy is a test which allows to a complete view of the inside of the entire rectum and colon while to a patient is a sedated. If a patient is found to be a suffering from a collector cancer, until the tumor is a surgically removed, a complete diagnosis that are accurately describes  in the location and spread of the cancer may not be a possible.

2. Biopsy test

A biopsy is the only test to make a definite diagnosis of the correctional cancer. It involves removal of a small amount of the tissue for a microscopic examination. It may either be a performed during to a colonoscopy or may be done on any tissue removed during a surgery. A CT scan or an a ultrasound may be sometimes be used to the help perform to a needle biopsy.

3. Biomarker testing

Biomarker testing, also called as a molecular testing of the tumor may be a recommended on a tumor sample to the identify specific genes, proteins, and other factors unique to the tumor. Results of these tests may be a helpful to the  determine to your treatment in a options.

Also, read: Is there to a link between cancer and diabetes?

4. Blood test

Colo-rectal cancer often results in a bleeding into the large intestine or a rectum. Due to this, patients with in the condition may become anemic. Blood tests are involve testing in the number of the red blood cells in the blood and this can indicate that bleeding may be a occurring. Carcinogenicity antigen (C E A) test is a form of the blood test that detects in the levels of a protein called a carcinogenicity antigen and high levels of this protein indicates the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. However, it is not used as a screening test for a correctional cancer, rather it is useful for a patients undergoing treatment for the condition.

5. Computed tomography (CT) scan

Computed tomography (CT) scan uses a X-rays to take a pictures of the inside of your body from a different angles. A computer then combines these pictures to show any a abnormal tumors. It can be used to measure in the size of the tumor as well. The scan often a performed prior to the surgery scan can check for the spread of cancer to the lungs, liver, and other organs.

6. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) makes use of the magnetic fields, to the produce detailed images of the body. The imaging test can be used to the  measure the tumor’s size and is a considered best to find where the correctional cancer has a grown.

7. Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses to a sound waves to find in the spread of the cancer and is commonly used to find how deeply rectal cancer has grown and can be used to help plan treatment. However, it is not an a accurate test to the detect cancer that has a spread beyond in the pelvis or to nearby a lymph nodes.

8. Chest x-ray

Chest x-ray can help to find out if the cancer has spread to the lungs.

9. Positron emission tomography (PET)

Positron emission tomography (PET) or PET-CT scan combines to a CT scan and PET scan. PET scans are used in a specific situations and are not meant for all patients are suffering from a correctional cancer.

Is a colon cancer easily preventable?

Some of the lifestyle changes that you can do to the reduce your risk of the colon cancer include maintaining a healthy weight, staying away from a smoking and drinking alcohol, and making sure to the exercise at least 30 minutes on most days. Besides, eat a variety of the fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as they contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, which help in the body ward off diseases and may be play a role in the prevention of the  cancer.

Treatment for a colon cancer

For a some with an a  increased risk of the correctional cancer, it is best to the discuss with your healthcare provider to the determine whether preventive medications are safe for you. There are some medications that are found to the reduce in the risk of the precancerous polyps or a colon cancer and some evidence links to a reduced risk of the polyps and colon cancer to the regular use of the drugs like a aspirin. However, these options are reserved for those with a high risk of the colon cancer and not the ones with a low to average risk of the disease.