The Nebraska Colon
Cancer Screening Program
helps men and women 50 years of
age and older make decisions
about colon cancer screening. Services may include:

• fecal occult blood test (FOBT) kit
  for at home testing
• colonoscopy
• information about healthy living

For free or low cost screening,
click here.

Screening Q&A

What is a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT):
A test for "hidden" blood in the feces (stool). The presence of such blood could be a sign of cancer.

What is a Colonoscopy (ko-lun-AH-skuh-pee):
A procedure that allows a doctor to see inside the large intestine to find polyps or cancer. During this procedure, the doctor can remove polyps and some very early stage colon cancers.

What is a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (sig-moid-AH-skuh-pee):
A procedure in which a doctor can look into the rectum and the descending portion of the colon for polyps or other abnormalities.

What is a Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE):
A method used to help diagnose colorectal cancer. Barium sulfate, a chalky substance, is infused through the rectum to partially fill and open up the colon. When the colon is about half-full of barium, air is inserted to cause the colon to expand. This allows x-ray films to show abnormal changes in the colon. Also called barium enema with air contrast.