My brother just found out he has colon cancer. What can I do to reduce my risk of developing this disease?

Talk to your doctor about getting tested before you have any symptoms. Finding and removing suspicious areas early reduces the risk of developing colon cancer.

Doctors use several types of tests to check the colon:

• The fecal occult blood test checks for hidden blood in the stool. Blood in the stool could be a warning sign of cancer.
• Sigmoidoscopy is another test. The doctor uses a thin, lighted tube to look inside the rectum and the lower part of the colon.
• Colonoscopy is similar to sigmoidoscopy, but the doctor uses a longer, lighted tube to see the entire colon.
• A double contrast barium enema allows the doctor to see the outline of the colon on x-rays.

Your doctor can tell you about the benefits and risks of each test, what tests to have, and how often to have them.

Everyone over age 50 should talk with their doctor about checking for colon cancer. Doctors may advise people with a family history of colon cancer to get tested before age 50.

Do you want more information? Call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-422-6237.

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