Colon Cancer Screening

Stool cards (fecal occult blood tests) are easy and safe. They can be completed at home. However, if you are squeamish about handling stool specimens, this test may not be right for you. Also, abnormal results from stool cards will usually require follow-up testing with colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy requires a substantial bowel preparation. However, you are usually given sedative medications during the procedure that prevent most pain and discomfort. Sedatives are usually not given during sigmoidoscopy or barium enema.