Colon Cancer Detection: What You Need to Know - Upper GI vs. Colonoscopy

An upper gastrointestinal (GI) exam does not visualize areas or organs beyond the esophagus, stomach, and the beginning of the small intestines, so it cannot directly detect colon cancer. Colon cancer is a cancer of the large intestine, which consists of the colon and the rectum. To properly detect colon cancer or polyps (precancerous growths that may develop into colon cancer), a colonoscopy is typically used, which visually inspects the entire colon and rectum with a flexible, lighted tube.