Can A CT Scan Detect Colon Cancer?

The Words

Colon cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, and affects tens of thousands of Americans each year. Unfortunately, it’s also affecting more and more younger people. The best way to fight it? Early detection.

Because colon cancer doesn’t have a lot of conclusive symptoms in early stages, diagnostics such as colonoscopies are essential. But can a CT scan really detect colon cancer? In many cases, yes, with a high degree of confidence.

An abdominal and pelvic CT scan is one of the most important tools available to doctors in predicting colon cancer. Early detection is critical to saving lives, because when colon cancer is caught early, it can often be treated.

Preventive Diagnostic Center makes colon cancer detection fast and easy, allowing you to make proactive health decisions so you can be there for your family for years to come. At Preventative Diagnostic Center, we specialize in advanced, non-invasive screenings that help people just like you stay on top of your health.

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Understanding Colon Cancer Risk

Colon cancer, also called colo-rectal cancer, is a cancer of the large intestine or rectum. It often starts as colon polyps. These are small growths inside the colon. Most are benign, but some can turn into cancer, if left untreated.

These polyps generally do not have any symptoms, so detection methods are important to identifying them. Early detection of colon cancer often revolves around identifying and removing these polyps. Those with risk factors for colon cancer should be screened.

Colon Cancer Risk Factors

Risk factors for colon cancer include:

Age: Anyone older than 45 should have a screening. If you have other risk factors for colon cancer, you may need a screening even earlier.
Family history: If you have had a close relative with colon cancer, such as a sibling, parent or grandparent, you should be screened, potentially earlier than recommended for the general population.
Diet: Those who have diets high in red meat, processed meats, and other processed foods may have a higher risk and should be screened.
Smoking: People who smoke have a higher risk of colon cancer than others and should be screened.
Alcohol use: Heavy alcohol use is also a risk factor for colon cancer, and those who regularly use alcohol should consider early screening.
Inflammatory bowel disease: Those with diseases in the IBD family should consider early screening, including those with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Obesity and diabetes: Both of these conditions have been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer. If you are obese or have diabetes, you should consider early screening.

Because colon cancer grows slowly, regular screening helps detect the disease before it becomes unmanageable. In basically every case, detecting cancer early leads to better outcomes in treatment.

When found in the early stages, colon cancer is highly treatable. When it’s found early, less invasive procedures can also often be used to fight it. Early detection is always better. You owe it to yourself and your family to get screened.

Can You Detect Colon Cancer With A CT Scan?

The simple answer is, yes, you can detect colon cancer with a CT scan, to a high degree of accuracy. The procedure is called a virtual colonoscopy.

A CT scan, officially called computed tomography, is an imaging test that takes many X-rays of a specific part of the body, which are then compiled by a computer to create a 3-D image. They can be done without sedation or invasive tools, and usually take just a few minutes.

A virtual colonoscopy makes a detailed image of your colon and pelvis.

The CT scan can:

Identify polyps that can turn into colon cancer.
Detect masses or tumors that may already be cancerous.
Reveal structural changes in the colon that may indicate cancer.
If cancer is present, help doctors determine the stage of the cancer or if there is any spread.

If cancer is suspected due to the results of a virtual colonoscopy, a traditional colonoscopy usually needs to be performed to verify the results. However, a virtual colonoscopy is a great tool that helps to detect changes in the colon that can indicate cancer.

How Virtual Colonoscopies Work

A virtual colonoscopy is a virtual scan of your colon, abdomen, and pelvis. It uses X-ray imaging to make a detailed, 3-D picture of your colon to look for abnormalities, tumours, and polyps.

How virtual colonoscopies work:

Your doctor will tell you how to prepare the day before, with a special liquid diet and laxatives to clear the colon of fecal matter so the scan is more clear.
On the day of the procedure, a small, flexible tube is inserted into the rectum to inflate the colon slightly with air or C02.
You will lie on a CT table while the scanner takes a digital image of your abdomen. This takes just a few minutes and does not hurt at all.
These images are processed by the computer and made into a 3-D picture that your doctors and radiologists can inspect.

Unlike traditional colonoscopies, there is no sedation necessary. The recovery time is also significantly shorter. The procedure only takes about a half an hour total, and you can get back to leading a normal life almost directly after.

If a polyp, mass, or something else concerning is found, your physician will recommend further treatment.

Full Body Scans And Preventative Health

At Preventative Diagnostic Center, we can take preventative health one step further and offer full body scans. These scans are designed to detect cancer and other serious issues throughout the whole body, including colon cancer.

Like colon cancer, many other cancers have few symptoms present until later stages when the cancer is more difficult to treat. With a full body scan, we can target your lungs, heart, brain, stomach, abdomen, and even arteries for abnormalities.

Scans such as these can provide a comprehensive view of the health of your organs, revealing hidden diseases or other issues that may grow into serious problems before they can harm you further.

These scans offer two exceptionally valuable things: long-term wellness, and peace of mind. Long-term wellness stems from early detection, and peace of mind comes from knowing you are taking care of yourself for your family for years to come.

Don’t let anxiety about your health keep you up at night. Schedule a screening today and receive some certainty.

The Role Of The Preventive Diagnostic Center In Early Detection

Preventative Diagnostic Center provides the best health screenings anywhere in the Las Vegas, Nevada, area. Our focus on patient-focused care, accuracy, and accessibility sets us apart from other health organizations that may see you as just a number or a bill.

At Preventative Diagnostic Center, you’re treated with the dignity you deserve, with the precision and accuracy that are essential, and the convenience of easy and rapid scheduling.

If you’d like to schedule a virtual colonoscopy or a full-body scan in Las Vegas, contact us today for an appointment.

Call Today To Take Charge Of Your Health

Early detection and preventative imaging are critical to long-term health. That’s why you should call Preventative Diagnostic Center today to schedule either a virtual colonoscopy or full body scan. Simple, proactive screenings can save lives. The life you save may be your own.