To avoid nutritional deficiencies, be aware of the food sources of iron, vitamin B12, and folate and include them in your diet daily. In addition to routine blood tests, other blood tests should be considered. If you had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985, have injected illegal drugs, have had multiple sexual partners or have had sex with a man who had sex with another man an HIV test is indicated. In this screening procedure, a hollow, lighted tube is used to visually inspect the wall of the rectum and the left side of the colon. Flexible sigmoidoscopy can detect about 65 to 75 percent of polyps and 40 to 65 percent of colorectal cancers.
Colorectal cancer is the second highest cause of death from cancer in the United States.
Studies indicate that deaths from colorectal cancer could be reduced by as much as 55 to 70 percent with the use of screening flexible sigmoidoscopy. The fecal occult blood test is a chemical test for blood in a stool sample. A study conducted in the United States showed a 33 percent reduction in colorectal cancer deaths among the participants who were annually screened. Twice yearly for cleaning and checkups. All Rights Reserved.