Stool Dna Test For Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer or polyp cells often have dna mutations changes in certain genes.

Stool dna test for colon cancer. For this test the doctor puts a short. For this test you collect an entire bowel movement and send it to a lab where it is checked for cancer cells. It looks for certain dna or gene changes that often get into the stool and are sometimes found in pre cancerous growths and cancer cells. Like the fecal occult blood test the stool dna test detects microscopic amounts of blood in stool but it also looks for certain dna changes and mutations found in cancerous tumors or precancerous polyps.

The test detects abnormal dna and small amounts of blood shed into the stool from colon cancer or polyps. When present in your colon cancer or polyps continuously shed cells with abnormal dna changes into the stool. If a stool dna test is the method you use to check for colon cancer you should get it done every 3 years. It detects about 92 percent of the cancers that are present and also finds approximately 40 percent percent of.

The fit dna test also referred to as the stool dna test combines the fit with a test that detects altered dna in the stool. Stool tests like these need to be done every year. Stool dna testing is intended to screen for colon cancer or precancerous polyps in people with no symptoms. It also checks for blood in the stool which can be a sign of cancer.

The stool dna test is a relatively new approach for colon cancer screening. If a stool dna test detects abnormal dna additional testing may be used to investigate the cause such as a colonoscopy to examine the inside of the colon. The test also detects hidden blood in the stool which can indicate the presence of cancer. It is done once every one or three years.

If the results show anything amiss you ll need a colonoscopy to check for and remove polyps. The stool dna test looks for abnormal dna associated with colon cancer or colon polyps.