Current early detection screening technologies for colorectal cancer you should know.

A brief description of the principles of widely used early detection screening methods

Early detection tests for colorectal cancer. One or more of these tests are indicated for CRC screening, particularly, in people older than 50 with a CRC case in the family history

A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) detects hidden blood in the stool, which is one of the first CRC

alarm bells. This test should be performed every 1–2 years in people between 50 and 80 years

old; it decreases the number of CRC deaths by 30 %

A sigmoidoscopy is an inspection of the rectum and of the sigmoid colon (final portion of the

bowel) using an instrument called a “sigmoidoscope” which is a small tube with a small light

attached. Sigmoidoscopy can reveal precancerous or cancerous growths

A colonoscopy is an inspection of the rectum and entire colon using an instrument called

“colonoscope.” Colonoscopy can reveal precancerous or cancerous conditions in the whole

colon, unlike sigmoidoscopy. Moreover, during colonoscopy, it is possible to remove suspicious

growths, and thus, it is a screening and a therapeutic method

In double-contrast barium enema, the colon and rectum undergo a series of x-rays. The first

step in this test is the introduction of a barium solution into the colon, and then air is also added to

delineate the colon and rectum on the x-ray. This procedure may not detect small polyps