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Welcome to GastroHelp
Providing Gastro Information & Testing
What is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is a cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon the largest part of the intestine. It is also called colorectal cancer.
What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal Cancer is the development of cancer in the colon or rectum. It forms in the tissues of the colon.
Other cancers that can affect the colon include lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, melanoma, and sarcomas. Which are typically rare.
Symptoms of Colon & Colorectal Cancer
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Blood in stool/ Changes in stool appearance
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Constipation/Feeling your bowels are not completely emptied after evacuation
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Unintentional weight loss
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Mild discomfort in abdomen and rectom
Causes of Colon & Colorectal Cancer
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High intake of processed & red meat
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High intake of substances with high fat
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Having Low Fiber diet
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Uncontrolled weight due to inadequate exercise
Higher Risk in African Americans
Colorectal cancer also disproportionately affects the Black community, where the rates are the highest of any racial/ethnic group in the US. African Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups.
Research shows African Americans are disproportionately burdened by cancer in general. They often experience greater obstacles to cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survival, including systemic racial disparities that are complex and go beyond the obvious connection to cancer.
Dr. Durado Brooks, M.D. states "This disease is ravaging the Black community, and it is as important as ever that everyone has access to and is receiving the recommended screenings. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, necessary screening tests remain available to prevent the disease or find it at an early, more treatable stage."
Screening can help find and prevent colon & colorectal cancer.
- Cancer.org
Capsule Endoscopy
Capsule endoscopy is a procedure that uses a tiny wireless camera to take pictures of your digestive tract. A capsule endoscopy camera sits inside a vitamin-size capsule you swallow. As the capsule travels through your digestive tract, the camera takes thousands of pictures that are transmitted to a recorder you wear on a belt around your waist.
This device helps doctors see inside your small intestine — an area that isn't easily accessible with more-traditional endoscopy procedures. Traditional endoscopy involves passing a long, flexible tube equipped with a video camera down your throat or through your rectum.
Capsule endoscopy can also be used to detect inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, screen for polyps, and more.
How a Capsule Endoscopy Works
Demonstration video source: Owen Epstein
Colorectal Cancer / Stool Screening
The fecal testing is a screening test for colon/colorectal cancer. It tests for hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of cancer. FIT only detects human blood from the lower intestines, so it tends to be more accurate and have fewer false positive results than other tests.
This test can be performed at home or at your doctor's office in the form of a kit known as the FIT Kit. These kits are easy to use even if it is your first time using.
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