For the diagnosis of many diseases, symptoms are the first clue that can put you on notice that something is not right. In colorectal cancer, the first symptoms are usually the presence of blood in the stool, the change of belly rhythm or abdominal pain. But many times when these first symptoms occur, the disease is already in advanced stages, since usually in its earliest stages it usually presents few or no symptoms.
The Primary Test
For this reason, preventive diagnostic tests have become crucial. The main one at present is colonoscopy. This is a test in which a device, known as an endoscope, is inserted through the person’s anus. In this way, it is possible to visualize the walls of the entire large intestine and identify possible lesions. It is the best test that exists right now, which allows the oncologist to visualize both the disease in its earliest stages and in those that are more advanced.
Other Test
The other test that exists to aid in the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer is the detection of occult blood in the stool. With this test, medical professionals will usually select those people who have a higher chance of having an injury to the colon and confirm the suspicions through a colonoscopy.
When Should the Early Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer Be Carried Out?
Although it is important to achieve the earliest possible diagnosis of the disease, it is also true that it is not possible or advisable to subject all people to this type of screening program in an indiscriminate way. Both for the discomfort they cause, since colonoscopy is not a simple procedure, nor for the excessive cost that can be involved in performing these tests to everyone. It is best to go to a cancer treatment center Orange County-based, not only when you have discovered that you are in the advanced stages of colon cancer, but once there is a detection of cancer or tumor.
