We know that a colonoscopy is the most effective tool for the early detection and prevention of colon cancer.
But anyone who has ever had a colonoscopy also knows that it鈥檚 not necessarily something to look forward to.
鈥淢any patients are hesitant to undergo this test because it鈥檚 invasive,鈥 says a primary care physician and lifestyle medicine specialist at Rush. 鈥淎 colonoscopy also requires taking time off work, a bowel preparation diet and sedation.鈥
The good news is you may be able to screen for colorectal cancer in the comfort of your own home.
Convenience of screening at home
At-home screening for colon cancer starts with a stool sample 鈥 no special diet or unpleasant drinks needed.
Here鈥檚 how it works: Your primary care doctor orders the test for you. You receive a small kit at your home address, along with . The sample is collected and mailed from your home. Once back at the lab, two tests are performed to check for signs of colon cancer and polyps.
鈥淭he first test is FIT, or fecal immunochemistry test,鈥 says a gastroenterologist at Rush. 鈥淔IT checks for tiny amounts of blood in your stool, an early sign of colon cancer. DNA-FIT combines FIT with a test for strands of DNA that could be from cancer.鈥
One commercial brand of the DNA-FIT test detects 92% of colon cancers and about 42% of precancerous polyps.
Who should consider DNA-FIT tests?
Ravindra says that DNA-FIT tests can be an option for people age 45 and older with an average risk of colorectal cancer, Ravindra says. In this case, average risk means anyone who has:
- Never had colorectal cancer or received radiation to the abdomen to treat another form of cancer
- No family history of colon or rectal cancer
- No hereditary or genetic problems that increase risk for colorectal cancer
- No inflammatory bowel disease
- No current symptoms (such as stool changes) that could mean a problem in the colon
What happens next?
鈥淚f the screening test is positive, the recommendation is to have a colonoscopy as soon as possible,鈥 Ravindra says. 鈥淏ut if it鈥檚 negative, DNA-FIT tests can be done every three years.鈥
At RUSH MD Anderson, we know how important it is to get a colonoscopy after a positive test. Our gastroenterologists are available to quickly schedule a follow-up colonoscopy.
Why doesn鈥檛 everyone get an at-home screening?
The benefits to an at-home colorectal cancer screening are obvious: skipping the bowel prep, sedation and time off work that comes with a colonoscopy.
However, Lee advises that DNA-FIT may not be right for everyone.
鈥淎 colonoscopy doesn鈥檛 just check for cancer 鈥 it can actually prevent cancer,鈥 Lee says. 鈥淭he value of a colonoscopy is that we can remove precancerous polyps that might turn into cancer given time. DNA-FIT can only detect some of these polyps, and you need a colonoscopy to detect all polyps and remove them.鈥
Lee and Ravindra encourage everyone to talk to their doctor about their risk for colon cancer and which screening test is best for their personal situation.
鈥淲e always say, 鈥榯he best test is the one that gets done,鈥欌 Ravindra says.
