Is a Colonoscopy Your Only Testing Option?
A colonoscopy is the most accurate test to help prevent colon cancer, but the discomfort of the all-day laxative prep and the sedation — not to mention the actual procedure — cause millions to forgo the test every year. If you’re one of the estimated 23 million American adults who have not been screened, there are some easier, albeit less accurate, alternatives.
With early detection so critical for stopping this type of cancer, however, “the best test is the one that gets done,” says Mark Pochapin, director of gastroenterology at NYU Langone Medical Center. Note: If the test results are suspicious, you’ll still need to undergo the real deal.