No need to get behind on taking care of your colon - by Catherine Johnson
Are you 50 or older? Then you are at risk for colorectal cancer.
A simple test can save your life. When detected early, colorectal cancer has a ninety-percent cure rate. All it takes is a simple screening test you can do yourself at home and take to the laboratory to be analyzed.
Ask your health care professional or call your local Algoma Public Health office.
The test is easy and it's simple. It can save your life.
Colorectal cancer statistics
· Ontario has one of the highest rates of colorectal cancer (CRC)in the world
· In 2007, an estimated 7,800 Ontarians were diagnosed with CRC and 3,250 died from the disease
· CRC is the second deadliest form of cancer, but there is a 90% chance it can be cured if detected early
· Less than a quarter of Ontarians aged 50-74 did a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) in the last two years
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Why should I get tested for colorectal cancer?
Possible Harms and Discomforts
If you have a positive Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT), you will be asked to go for further testing to confirm the test.
Most people with a positive test turn out NOT to have bowel cancer (these are called "false-positives"), but there will be some worry until you know this. The further testing to find this out might include looking at your colon, with such tools as a flexible sigmoidoscope (that looks into the first part of the bowel) or a colonoscope (that looks into the entire bowel).
It is also possible that the test result can be "false-negative", indicating no cancer when a cancer is actually present. This is one reason why we recommend the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) every one to two years, to improve the chance of picking up a cancer early.
A negative test does not mean that you do not have a colon cancer. A negative test also does not mean that you are not at risk for developing colon cancer.
A Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) could save your life!
Here's how:
- Colorectal cancer usually starts from a non-cancerous growth of tissue (called a polyp) in the colon.
- The FOBT checks for blood in the stool. It can find tiny amounts of blood that you cannot see. It can show whether there is any bleeding from a polyp or cancer in your large bowel.
- Removing polyps (by colonoscopy) can prevent colorectal cancer from developing.
- Finding cancer early is important - that's when treatment works best.
| Clear Colon |
Colon with Polyp |
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What will happen when I have a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)?
Follow the instructions found in the FOBT kit, especially those about avoiding certain medicines and foods for a few days before you do the test. (Please consult your doctor if it's not possible for you to avoid certain foods or medicines.)
Do the test. Return the FOBT kit to the laboratory to be analyzed.
Your doctor will notify you of the results.
Note: Some doctors have a stock of FOBT kits in their offices or you will be instructed to pick up the kit from the laboratory. After doing the test, return the kit to your doctor or a participating laboratory as directed by your doctor, along with the lab requisition form, signed consent form, and your Ontario Health Card number.
What happens next?
This depends on your results:
If your results are normal (no blood in the stool), you should have another FOBT test in one to two years. No screening test is perfect. Some cancers will not be found. That is one of the reasons to be tested every one to two years.
If the FOBT shows signs of blood in the stool, your doctor will:
- explain the results
- give you information about follow-up tests
- arrange for you to have follow-up tests
Note: Most people who go for follow-up tests do not have cancer. However, it is important to have the follow-up tests to find any problems that might need treatment.
How do I get more information?
Talk to your doctor/healthcare professional or call Algoma Public Health.
1-866-892-0172 or (705) 541-7146
| If you want an FOBT kit, call the Telehealth dedicated line at 1-866-828-9213 |
Additional Information:Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Care Ontario Colon Cancer Check