Can colon cancer be detected by stool testing? If so, what kinds of tests are there in this area? Answers and more you can find in the article.
Let's find out in what comes the answer to "Does stool analysis detect colon cancer ?" Specifically, as well as details and responses to other pertinent questions:
Does stool analysis detect colon cancer?
The response to the question, "Can colon cancer be detected by stool analysis?" It is yes to specific stool examinations, not the routine stool examination that looks for parasites under a microscope.
The fact that these stool tests effectively identify colon cancer does not disprove the need for a colonoscopy to rule out the possibility of developing the disease in the event of symptoms, as occasionally the results of stool tests for colon cancer may be negative despite the presence of cancer or vice versa.
Types of stool analysis that detects colon cancer
After learning the response to the question, "Can colon cancer be detected by stool analysis?" It is necessary to accurately identify the types of stool examinations in this regard, as follows:
1. Fecal immunochemical test
The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) works on the principle of looking for blood spots in the stool, which can be caused by both colon cancer and large benign tumours. It's important to note that this test can be done at home with the right equipment, which can be obtained from a doctor or pharmacy.
2. A faecal occult blood test using guaiac
The fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) is similar to the annual fecal immunochemical test, as it checks for the presence of blood in the stool. The daily routine followed before the sample is collected must be altered for this examination, most notably:
- Avoid eating red meat .
- Don't consume large amounts of vitamin C.
- Avoid using aspirin and ibuprofen, among other medications.
Given its accuracy of 71% in identifying colorectal cancer, the faecal occult blood test is effective at providing a conclusion.
3. Stool DNA testing
With an estimated 92% accuracy rate, the stool DNA test is the most reliable way to determine the prevalence of cancer; however, despite this rate, this test has the potential to produce false-positive results, so it is advised that this test be repeated every three years.
Other common questions about stool screening for colon cancer
Along with answering the query, "Can colon cancer be detected by stool analysis?" There are also several frequently asked questions about the matter, and the following will be mentioned, followed by scientific answers to them:
- Do studies exist that suggest stool tests can identify colon cancer?
There are studies that show how effective certain tests are at detecting colon cancer, one of which involved 325,000 people over the course of four years, and the results of the tests used to examine their stools for the disease were as follows:
- The first year: 84.5% of the study participants diagnosed with colon cancer.
- The second year - the fourth year: the effectiveness of blood tests in stool ranged from 73 - 78%.
The researchers came to the conclusion that endoscopy is the best because it is 100% accurate, but blood tests in the stool to check for colon cancer were equally effective.
- When ought I to think about getting a stool test for colon cancer?
It is usually recommended to have a stool examination to detect colon cancer on a regular basis if there are significant risk factors that increase the possibility of developing this type of cancer, the most prominent of which are the presence of a family history full of colon cancer.
- What takes place if the stool test is positive?
If one of the stool tests yields a positive result, the patient must make a quick appointment with the doctor so that the latter can perform an endoscopic examination and fully confirm the outcome.