I had the most common symptom of colon cancer in my early 30s. Here's why I got a (pricey) colonoscopy over a stool test.
Briefly

Blood in stool can indicate colon cancer, with symptoms sometimes appearing in young individuals. After experiencing recurring symptoms and considering family history, a decision to undergo a colonoscopy was made despite initial reservations about the procedure. Stool tests were evaluated but deemed less effective, as they do not detect precancerous conditions. A GI specialist suggested a colonoscopy for comprehensive screening, confirming the importance of thorough evaluation over minimal testing in identifying potential health issues like colon cancer or polyps.
In the end, I got a colonoscopy and am so glad I did - even if I'm still navigating the financial side of it.
Stool tests aren't considered the gold standard of colon cancer screenings because they can only detect cancer.
Read at Business Insider
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