Your doctor will first review your medical history. A complete
medical exam will be done. One or more of the following tests
may be done: Digital Rectal Exam —Your doctor will insert a
lubricated gloved finger into the rectum. The doctor will check
the rectum for lumps or abnormal areas. About half of colon
cancers can be detected in this way, especially if a test for
occult blood is done at the same time. It is not a good idea to
ask your doctor to skip your rectal exam during a routine
checkup. It is a good idea to agree to having your stool tested
for occult blood. X-ray of the Large Intestine —An x-ray will
provide a picture to help identify the presence of polyps. This
is often done with the addition of contrast medium (barium).
Barium will help to create better pictures of the surface of the
bowel. Fecal Occult Blood Test —A small sample of stool is
placed on a special card. It is then tested by a lab for hidden
blood. Blood can be present in the stool for many reasons.
Colorectal cancer will not always