The key test you should take starting at age 50 to detect colon cancer early

Preventive screening and testing are essential for the early detection of diseases and their subsequent prevention. A prompt diagnosis can be crucial for curing many diseases, such as colon cancer, one of the most common cancers in men and women in our country.

The majority of diagnosed cases of this disease occur in people between 50 and 69 years of age . Therefore, oncologists recommend that people in this age group undergo a test that allows for early detection of colon cancer for treatment: the fecal occult blood test . This is performed through a program within the healthcare system that examines samples every two years.

Furthermore, if there is a family history of the condition, specialists recommend consulting your primary care physician "to assess whether further action is necessary," they emphasize.

What is the fecal occult blood test?

The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a test performed to detect small amounts of blood in the stool that are not visible to the naked eye. This blood can come from various parts of the digestive tract, such as the stomach, intestines, or colon, and often does not cause obvious symptoms.

The presence of occult blood can be indicative of various conditions , some benign, but it can also be a sign of serious illnesses. In addition to colorectal cancer, it can also be used to detect inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids, and gastric ulcers.

The procedure for performing this test is quite simple. A stool sample is taken at home, which is then taken to a lab for analysis. Results can take a couple of days , and if blood is found in the stool, further testing is usually done to determine the exact cause.

It's important to keep in mind that the survival rate for colon cancer is quite high: 63.1% of men and 63.9% of women who suffer from it survive a disease that is increasingly under control, for which early detection remains the main defense.