1.) What is the U.S. Preventive Task Force (USPTF)? 2. ) Select a
Colon cancer screening is recommended for adults starting at the age of 45, depending on the individual’s risk factors, and can be done through a variety of screening tools. Fecal occult Blood Testing (FOBT), flexible and double-contrast barium Enema are the most popular tests to detect colon cancer early. The FOBT test is non-invasive and can be done once per year. It looks for blood in stool samples. This has proven to identify cancerous growths, polyps and other abnormalities early. Flexible sigmoidoscopy allows physicians to visual inspect the lower section of large intestine with an illuminated tube that has a camera attached. It should be repeated every five year. Double-Contrast Barium Enema works in the same way as flexible sigmoidoscopy. However, it uses Xrays rather than a tube with a camera attached. These x-rays are used to view both the interior and exterior of the large intestinale. It should also be performed once every five year. Colonoscopies, which are more involved procedures that use long tubes and cameras to view the whole colon, should be performed every 10 years. Depending on your risk factors, this procedure can also be done at 50.