Hong Kong Cancer Fund

The following tests are all used in the diagnosis of bowel cancer.

	Proctoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy
	This test allows the doctor to look at the inside of the rectum or the large bowel.
	Barium Enema
	This is a special X-ray of the large bowel.
	Colonoscopy
	If your doctor wants to look inside the whole length of the large bowel you may have a test called a colonoscopy

If the tests show that you have bowel cancer your doctor may want to do some further tests to see if there has been any spread of the disease. The results help your doctor to decide which is the best type of treatment for you.

Ultrasound Scan

In this test sound waves are used to make up a picture of the liver and the inside of the abdomen.

CT Scan (CAT Scan)

A CT scan is a type of X-ray. A number of pictures are taken of the area and fed into a computer to form a detailed picture of the inside of the body.

Liver function test

This blood test measures chemicals that are normally found or made in your liver. An abnormal result can be a sign that a cancer has spread to the liver.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

MRI is a diagnostic test that uses a combination of magnetism and radio waves to build up detailed cross-section pictures of your body.