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General health information

Testing for bowel cancer

Screening can find bowel cancer or precancerous changes before symptoms develop. A stool test, colonoscopy or another test has benefits and drawbacks; you need to ask locally which programme is available in Curaçao.

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  • Screening looks for signs of bowel cancer or polyps that could later become cancerous in people without symptoms.
  • Early detection can make treatment less extensive and increase the chance of a cure.
  • No screening test finds everything. False-negative and false-positive results occur.
  • A stool test is simple and non-invasive, but needs repeating according to a schedule and may lead to a follow-up colonoscopy.
  • Colonoscopy examines the whole colon and allows polyps to be removed, but needs preparation and carries small risks.
  • Screening is a voluntary choice after receiving understandable information about the benefits, demands and possible next steps.
  • A Dutch invitation schedule does not automatically apply in Curaçao. Local availability, age limits and referral arrangements need confirmation.

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Further reading

Browse A–Z
B
Bowel polypsBowel polyps are growths in the lining of the colon or rectum. Most are benign, but some types can develop into bowel cancer over years and are therefore removed and examined.
C
Cervical screening and HPV self-samplingA cervical smear and a validated self-sampling kit can detect high-risk HPV before cervical cancer causes symptoms. A positive self-test always requires an agreed medical follow-up step; in the Dutch programme, a cervical smear follows to assess cervical cells. Screening is for people without symptoms and never replaces assessment of bleeding, unusual discharge or pelvic pain.
T
Testing for prostate cancerA PSA test can detect prostate cancer early but can also cause false alarms and overdiagnosis. Testing without symptoms is therefore a personal choice after explanation of the chance of benefit, further tests and potential harm; symptoms such as inability to urinate, bone pain or bleeding require diagnostic assessment and are not ordinary screening.