Beyond Colon Cleansing: Colon Cancer Testing and Symptoms
Sometimes even if people participate in colon cleansing routines they may still get colon cancer. This may be some disappointing news for some people.
However, getting a good digestive cleaning is not necessarily going to reverse years of health damage. It may depend upon when you get your colon cleaned, but all in all sometimes it truly is too late to stop from getting colon cancer.
When to Get Tested
You can get tested at any time as a part of a normal precautionary routine. However, you should especially get tested for colon cancer if you notice the following symptoms:
- Blood or blackening of stool
- Yellowish discoloration of skin
- White discoloration in eyes
- Constipation or irregular bowel movements (more than normally)
- Narrow stools
- Unexplained weight loss
- Gas pains, bloating, or full feeling
- Cramps
- Chronic fatigue
- Vomiting or nausea (especially if it’s frequently)
Colon Cancer Screening Routine
Before you are screened for colon cancer you are more than likely going to be given a physical exam. During this time a complete assessment of your present health condition as well as your medical history will be made.
After you have received a health assessment you then may take one or more of the following colon cancer screening tests:
Sigmoidoscopy-This is a procedure that is used to examine the last one third of the intestine. The rectum and the sigmoid colon make up this colonic section. Through a flexible viewing tube and a lens and light source a doctor can check for cancer, abnormal growths called polyps, and ulcers. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes. This is a test that becomes routine after a person turns 50.
Colonoscopy-Often this is a test given to people ages 50 and over. Usually it is given to people who are not at a high risk. The advantage of this test is that it reaches deeper than the sigmoidoscopy and it has a TV video screen. A certain attachment at the end helps gather tissue for testing and another attachment helps remove any polyp (abnormal growth) if necessary.
The Biopsy Routine
The biopsy portion of a colon cleanse is one that involves the collection of a small piece of colon tissue. This is taken to a lab for further study.
This is done to help further detect any sign of colon cleansing, and gives patients the opportunity for early treatment. This could improve the quality of a person’s life and even save a person from death.
