To help find cancers early colon cancer screening tests are used. Its better to find the cancers before they start to cause any warning signs. Early detection of colon cancer can make curing it more likely. You doctor will choose the type of colon cancer screening test you will have. This is a list of different types of colon cancer screening test you may be asked to take.

Colonoscopy, this is one that most people have heard of: You will be given medication that will make you sleepy and relaxed. This colon cancer screening is usually not painful but may be a bit uncomfortable. A thin, flexible tube with a video camera attached it inserted into your rectum, the doctor will be able to view your whole colon. It can also be used to remove polyps and cancers during the exam.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, this colon cancer screening test is similar to the colonoscopy. A hollow tube with a light at the end that is thin and flexible is inserted into your rectum. The tube has a tiny video camera connected to it so the doctor can look at the lower part of your colon and rectum. As you can imagine this is a bit uncomfortable as well. This will let your doctor see polyps that are very small. Even before they can be found in a fecal blood test. (More Signs Of Colon Cancer Articles)

Digital Rectal Exam, no this is not another camera that they are going to be sticking up your you know what. This is when the doctor will put their gloved finger into your rectum to see if they can feel any growths. This colon cancer screening test is not painful but a bit uncomfortable. This test can only find 10% or less of colon cancers.

Double-Contrast Barium Enema, in this test you will be given an enema; fluid will be injected into your rectum. This liquid will show up on an x-ray and give the doctor a look to see if they can find any abnormal spots on your whole colon. If any spots are found they will set you up for a colonoscopy to check them out.

Fecal Occult Blood Test, hey guess what in this test nobody is sticking anything up your rectum! Your stool will be checked for blood that you can not see. You get to do this at home, at least the stool sample part. You will get a kit to bring home and return to your doctor with your sample. If they find any blood then your back to the rectum sticking part of this article.

There are a few things that you may eat that can cause a false positive. You don't want to eat these for at least 2 days before getting your stool sample. So you should stay away from horseradish, red meat, vegetables and aspirin before you take your sample.

If for any reason you think you might have colon cancer, make an appointment with your doctor to have one of these colon cancer screening test done. Early detection could save your life.