There is a range of several diagnostic tests which can be performed nowadays. To ensure your health and wellbeing, Olympus provides your doctor with modern technical solutions.

Method Description Key facts
Colonoscopy Colonoscopy is a screening method that lets your doctor examine your entire colon to look for polypes and tumors with an instrument called colonoscope. These “scopes” consist of a tiny camera attached to a flexible, long and thin tube, which is gently eased inside the colon and sends pictures to a screen.

In addition to diagnose abnormal growths, the procedure enables your doctor to remove polyps in the same session.

Olympus offers versatile colonoscopes with sharp image quality for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

  • Examination of entire colon
  • A colonoscope is a long tube with a camera
  • Simultaneous Diagnosis and removal of polyps
  • versatile colonoscopes offered by Olympus
Computed Tomographic Colonography (virtual colonoscopy) This screening method uses X-rays or MRT to produce 2- or 3-dimensional images of your entire colon. As with optical colonoscopy your doctor examines the intestinal wall on a computer screen. 
Virtual colonoscopy is less invasive than colonoscopy and can identify polyps that are smaller than 5mm.
  • Examination of entire colon
  • 3D images on a computer screen
  • Identifying polyps <5mm, but no removal
  • Less invasive
Sigmoidoscopy During a sigmoidoscopy, the doctor examines your rectum and lower third of the colon called the sigmoid colon with a lighted tube, a sigmoidoscope.
Polyps can only be biopsied but not removed silmutaneously.
  • Examination of lower part of colon
  • Biopsy of polyps, no simultaneous removal
Double-contrast barium enema At this screening test you receive an enema with barium, followed by air. The solution will show an outline of your colon on x-ray.  
Polyps cannot be removed during screening.
  • Examination of entire colon
  • Diagnosis on X-ray
  • Polyps cannot be removed
High-sensitivity Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) A FOBT is a stool test and therefore can be completed in the comfort of your home. Doctors can detect small amounts of blood in the stool, but they are not able to find polyps with this screening test. If signs of cancer will be found, patients will need to get a colonoscopy afterwards.
  • Stool test can take place at home
  • Test for signs of cancer
  • Polyps can not be identified

 

Get more information about Colon Cancer Prevention. Find out about the Felix Burda Foundation and the Fight against Cancer campaign.