When found in the early stages, colorectal cancer can usually be cured by surgery. It is important for you to know the symptoms of colorectal cancer and to have the screening tests that can detect this cancer in its early stages before it causes symptoms. If you have a parent or a sibling who has had colonic polyps or cancer, you may be at an increased risk for a colonic polyp or cancer. With this family history, your health care provider may want to screen you for colorectal cancer earlier and more often than people with no family history of these problems. This exam has limited value because your provider can check only the rectum with it and not the colon.
Most colorectal cancers are in the colon.
This test is relatively easy and inexpensive. However, many factors can interfere with its accuracy. Also, blood can be present for reasons other than colorectal cancer. Tests that show traces of blood need to be followed by more tests. Eating certain substances before this test may lead to inaccurate results.