Home > Medical Reference > Patient Education

Colonoscopy

There are four basic tests for colon cancer: a stool test (to check for blood); a barium enema (x-ray) test; sigmoidoscopy (inspection of the lower colon; and colonoscopy (inspection of the entire colon). All four can detect cancers in the early stages, when treatment is most beneficial, but colonoscopy is the most accurate.

Reviewed last on: 1/28/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.