A regular program of screening examinations is the best way to ensure an early diagnosis -- and a growing number of colorectal cancers are in fact being found during routine screening.
Colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis may involve one or more of a number of tests, such as a fecal occult blood test or colonoscopy.
Any polyps or other growths that are found during colonoscopy are usually removed at the time and sent to a laboratory for examination. A pathologist will examine this sample under the microscope to determine if there are cancer or precancer cells present.
