Colon Cancer Screening in Little Rock, AR

Individuals should consult with their GI specialist at GastroArkansas to determine the appropriate timing for a colon cancer screening and which tests are recommended. One or more of the following tests may be utilized for a colon cancer screening:

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy: This test uses a sigmoidoscope, a finger-sized tube with a camera, to view the inside of the rectum and lower colon. The tube is inserted into the rectum to capture images of the inner wall and part of the colon. It can be used to biopsy tumors or polyps and remove some polyps. However, a colonoscopy is necessary to examine the entire colon and remove all tumors or polyps. This procedure is generally safe, but there is a minimal risk of bowel tearing, bleeding, and infection.
• Colonoscopy: A colonoscope, similar to a sigmoidoscope but longer, is used to examine the entire colon. The colonoscope is inserted through the rectum, providing a full view of the colon on a computer monitor. Special tools can be passed through the colonoscope to take biopsies and remove polyps. Sedation is required, and there is a minimal risk of bowel tears, bleeding, or infection after the procedure.
• Virtual colonoscopy: This noninvasive procedure involves a computed tomography (CT) scan of the colon. The patient lies on a table while the CT scanner takes cross-sectional images of the colon. No sedation is required. If abnormalities are found, a colonoscopy is needed to remove the polyps or tumors.
• Double-contrast barium enema: A small tube is inserted into the rectum, and barium sulfate (a white, chalky liquid) and air are pumped into the colon. The barium suspension lines the outer walls of the colon, and X-rays are taken to reveal abnormalities on the inner wall. If abnormalities are detected, a colonoscopy is necessary to remove the polyps or tumors.
• Fecal test: Fecal tests, performed using a stool sample, are very safe. Although they may not provide confirmatory results, they can indicate abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract that warrant further testing. A colonoscopy is needed if the results are positive, suggesting cancerous growths in the colon. Our gastroenterologists offer three types of fecal tests:
  • Stool DNA tests: These look for abnormal DNA genes in cells shed from cancerous growths or polyps in the stool sample.
  • Fecal immunochemical tests: These detect hidden blood through a specific immunochemical reaction to a protein in the blood.
  • Fecal occult blood tests: These tests detect blood in the feces not visible to the eye through a chemical reaction.