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Doesn’t it seem sometimes that colonoscopy has been used by comedians and I bet some of your far less funny acquaintances, as the butt (Sorry…I couldn’t resist) of jokes about ANY unpleasant process? That’s a real shame because its role as a screen in preventing death from colon cancer is very well established.
Fact: with proper screening nearly 90 percent of people will live five or more years if their colon cancer is found early.
Fact: one in three adults between the ages 50 and 75 years isn’t getting the recommended tests for colon cancer.
With those statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), you would think more people would be having colonoscopies, especially since colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. But the reality is that something is holding them back from having this test done.
Misplaced fear and anxiety are the biggest reasons people are skipping out on this oh-so-important colon cancer screening.
People hear about what they need to do to prepare for the procedure and then what the procedure involves and then they put it off…but PLEASE don’t worry; with appropriate anesthesia care today, the procedure need not be unpleasant or uncomfortable!
Patients receive a sedative before their colonoscopy that prevents any pain or discomfort. Additionally, most people sleep through the procedure and don’t have any memory of it after the fact.
The procedure itself typically takes a mere 30 to 60 minutes, with you being able to return to normal activities the following day. Last time, I actually was able to get back to the office in the afternoon, after colonoscopy in the morning. The bowel preparation process for a colonoscopy, which typically consists of a liquid-only diet and the use of laxatives, shouldn’t be feared either.
While it may be annoying, it is not painful, and these days only needs to be started the day before the test is to be performed.
Colon cancer has a 90 percent survival rate if it’s detected early, and colonoscopies play a major role in this.
Colonoscopies are considered the gold standard when it comes to detecting colon cancer.
During a colonoscopy, a long, thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope is gently inserted into the rectum. The tube has a tiny video camera at the tip of it, which allows the doctor to view the inside of the entire colon. This procedure is not only used to pinpoint changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum, but polyps or other types of abnormal tissue can be removed through the scope during a colonoscopy.
Tissue samples, or biopsies, can be taken during a colonoscopy to determine if a change or abnormality is worrisome. In many cases, we can remove the abnormal tissues during the colonoscopy procedure and thereby eliminate the chance that they will develop into cancer.
So you’re sedated, asleep, feeling no pain, back to your normal activities quickly and, most importantly, ensuring that you don’t have cancer or at least are catching it early and setting the stage for a longer, healthier life. All of that seems to outweigh any uncomfortable feelings, doesn’t it? Talk to your doctor soon about whether a colonoscopy is right for you.