Colon Screening is an important tool in the early detection of colorectal cancer. The new Colon Health Check is the most advanced home test available for the detection of hidden blood in the stool, an early warning signal of colorectal cancer. Colon Health Check uses new and enhanced testing methods that eliminate the need for dietary restrictions and provides an easy to use fecal occult blood test (FOBT) you perform in the privacy of your home.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for the number of colorectal cancer cases in the USA for 2009 are 106,100 new cases of colon cancer and 40,870 new cases of rectal cancer.  Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the USA and is expected to cause 49,920 deaths in 2009. (American Cancer Society)

The early stages of colon cancer typically have no symptoms which is why colon screening is imperative.  If colon cancer is detected early the five year survival rate is over 90% - compared to 10% if detected in a late stage.  All it takes is regular colon screening - and now you can do it in the privacy and convenience of your home.

The American Cancer Society recommends annual testing for colon cancer after the age of 40 since the early stages of colon cancer usually has no symptoms. Both men and women in this age group should check for hidden blood in the stool at least once per year. If there is a family history of colorectal cancer or intestinal bleeding, the test should be performed more often as your doctor recommends.

Among the screening options available to detect colon cancer are invasive procedures such as colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, where a tube is inserted into the rectum and the colon. There are also fecal occult blood (FOB) tests, where the patient has to deliver three stool samples to a physician or laboratory. For all these tests, strict dietary restrictions are necessary.

The Colon Health Check is a FDA cleared fecal occult blood test (FOBT) for home-use that utilizes a new and enhanced immunochemical testing method with antibodies to detect traces of human blood (not detectable with the naked eye) in a stool sample. Studies have shown that FOBT, when performed every 1 to 2 years in people ages 50 to 80, can help reduce the number of deaths due to colorectal cancer by 15 to 33 percent.

Test yourself and someone you love with the Colon Health Check with and buy 1 test and get 1 Free for $39.95.

 For complete instructions on how to use the Colon Health Check, please Click Here

 Precautions:
 

• Do not perform the Colon Health Check test during menstrual bleeding or if you have bleeding hemorrhoids.
• Alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen and other medications taken in excess may cause gastrointestinal irritation resulting in blood in the stool. Stop taking these and similar substances at least 48 hours before testing.
• If you have a negative result but have one or more of the following symptoms consult your physician: diarrhea or constipation lasting longer than two weeks, unexplained weight loss, visible blood in the stool, or dark black stool.
• Do not use the Colon Health Check Test Cassette after the expiration date marked on the foil package.
• Do not use the Colon Health Check Sample Collection tube after the expiration date marked on the label.
• Do not drink the extraction solution. Avoid splashing in the eyes. The extraction is harmless if spilled; however, spills should be cleaned up immediately using tap water.
• Store at room temperature: 59° - 82°F (15° - 28°C).
• Do not open the Colon Health Check Test Cassette until you are ready to perform the test. If the foil package is open, torn or damaged, do not use the test.
• For external use only.
• Keep out of reach of children.

Q:  How does this test compare with the toilet bowl tissue tests for colorectal cancer screening?

A: "'Toilet bowl tests' consisting of strips of paper to be dropped into the toilet water with your stool are sold in drugstores and other retail outlets, and are often promoted as a type of fecal occult blood test.  These tests have not been evaluated in the types of rigorous clinical studies done on the guaiac-based FOBT and the FIT, and are not recommended for colorectal cancer screening by the American Cancer Society or any other major medical organization."   Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2008-2010, page 14,  by American Cancer Society

Q. If the Colon Health Check test is positive, does it mean I have cancer?

A. A positive test means that there may be bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Benign conditions such as polyps, hemorrhoids, rectal fissures or even stomach ulcers can cause bleeding that would give a positive result. It is imperative that anyone with a positive test result see a physician as soon as possible to determine the cause of the bleeding.

Q. If my Colon Health Check result is positive, how should I follow up?
A. Contact your family physician immediately.

Q. If my Colon Health Check test result is negative, does it mean I don’t have cancer?
A. Not necessarily. A negative test only means that there was no blood detected in your stool at the time of the test. Blood in the stool may occur intermittently or not at all when you have colon cancer or rectal cancer. (This test is not a substitute for a regular physical and colonoscopy by your physician.)

Q. How accurate is Colon Health Check?
A. Colon Health Check is over 98% accurate, based on clinical studies.

Q: How does a Fecal Occult Blood Test, FOBT, work?

A: The FOBT is used to find occult or hidden blood in the stool.  The test is looking for blood in your stool that may be caused from colorectal polyps or cancers since the blood vessels on these polyps are fragile and can be easily damaged when feces passes by them.  The damaged vessels will usually release a small amount of blood into your stool, but rarely is there enough bleeding to be visible.  Using a chemical reaction the FOBT detects these small amounts of  blood in the stool.

Q. What are the chances of survival for someone with colon or rectal cancer?
A. If the cancer is found early and treated properly, more than 90 percent of patients survive five years or more. That is why an annual colon screening is so important.

Q. Is the Colon Health Check test difficult or painful?
A. The test is painless and very user friendly, requiring only one stool sample. The home test includes simple directions for performing the fecal occult blood test (FOBT).

Q. Are diet restrictions required for using the Colon Health Check?
A. No.

Q. What time of day is best to use Colon Health Check?
A. You may test at any time of day.

Q. Do I have to use the Collection Paper?
A. Rather than Collection Paper, you may use a stool sample collected in a clean, dry container.

Q. Why is it important to prevent the stool sample from being in the toilet water?
A. Trace chemicals in the water might interfere with the test.

Q. How long do the results remain stable before they change or fade away?
A. A positive result is likely to remain unchanged; however the background may become darker. With a negative result, after 10 minutes a very faint line may appear in the test zone "T." This is not a positive result. (Remember: Do not read or interpret results after 10 minutes.)