If there’s anything most of don’t want to talk about, it’s colonoscopies and colon cancer (also known as colorectal cancer). Why should we talk about it anyway? It’s an uncomfortable conversation. It’s not something any of us really want to partake in. And to be honest, it’s just downright scary.
The thing is… it’s not scary. And it’s not something any of us should avoid discussing. Why? Because colonoscopies save lives. A lot of lives. They don’t hurt, and they typically take just a few hours out of your day. So, let’s have some real talk about what a colonoscopy is, how to prepare for one, and how to make an appointment.
A colonoscopy can save your life.
It might surprise you, but colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the world and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths.* That’s a pretty high number.
But here’s the good news. Screening for colon cancer is considered one of the most effective preventative health interventions in modern medicine. That’s a big statement. And it’s even more impressive when you realize that some studies estimate that colonoscopies may reduce deaths from colon cancer by more than 60% through early detection and removal of precancerous polyps.**
Will a colonoscopy always help find cancer?
Nothing of course is 100%, but in the vast majority of cases the answer is yes. Think about this for a minute. A colonoscopy is a procedure used to examine the inside of your colon and rectum. The reason why it’s considered one of the best methods of finding colon cancer is because it allows your healthcare professional to actually examine the inside of your colon with a small video camera. If the doctor sees any polyps (a polyp is a small growth of cells), they will remove them and send them out for a biopsy. Most polyps are harmless, but it’s important to remove them because even if they’re not cancerous now, they have the potential to turn into cancer at a later date.
Many people put off having a colonoscopy because they feel fine and have no symptoms. Well, don’t let that fool you. We have a saying in gastroenterology circles that the only symptom of early colon cancer is… that there are no symptoms.
What if the colonoscopy indicates cancer?
For most of us, the colonoscopy won’t reveal cancer. But when it does, it can be scary to hear this kind of news. What’s important to remember is that in the early stages, colon cancer can often be cured. Yes – cured. And treatments for colon cancer have made huge strides over the years.
After the colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist will send some tissue from any polyps they’ve found to a pathologist who will test them for cancer. If none of the growths show cancer, you are done with any testing or treatment until your next colonoscopy, which would typically be in 10 years’ time.
If the growths do show any cancer, the gastroenterologist may recommend that you see a surgeon. They may also want you to get a blood test and a CT scan. These two tests are not at all painful. They simply show what stage your cancer is at, and whether the cancer may have spread to other parts of your body.
At this point, the next course of action will depend on what the tests find, and what kind of colon cancer you have. Some people who are at a very early stage may have had all the cancer removed by the colonoscopy, so they simply follow up with regular screenings. Other people may need surgery to remove the cancerous part of the colon, along with some lymph nodes for testing. For those patients, that might be the extent of their treatment, until their next follow up colonoscopy. If tests show that the cancer has spread past the colon and into other organs, further treatment with chemotherapy or radiation might be recommended.
Ten fast facts about colon cancer and colonoscopies
1. Colonoscopies do not hurt.
Most people are given deep sedation with a drug called propofol, which acts quickly and has a faster recovery time than traditional anesthesia. The colonoscopy doesn’t hurt because the patient is put into a deep sleep and will not feel any part of the procedure.
2. Colon cancer is a common cancer.
Yes, it sure is. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers both in the United States and around the world. In fact, estimates show that nearly 160,000 people in the U.S. will be affected by colon cancer in 2026. Fortunately, due to lifestyle changes and early screening, these numbers are declining.
3. Colon cancer can be hereditary.
This comes as a surprise to many people, but yes – colon cancer can be hereditary. Knowing your family history over three generations helps to identify risk, and if colon cancer is in the family, doctors will often recommend testing and early colonoscopies before the standard age of 45
4. Colon cancer often has no symptoms.
This is what really surprises people. In the early stages of colon cancer, it’s typical that there are no symptoms. But as the disease progresses, people might notice changes in bowel habits, ongoing abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, and possibly a pain or lump in the belly.
5. Colonoscopies are covered by insurance.
Most private insurance plans and Medicare cover preventative colorectal cancer screenings, including colonoscopies. For people at average risk, they’re covered starting at age 45 and then covered every 10 years after that. If colon cancer runs in the family, coverage may start at an earlier age.
6. A colonoscopy can save your life.
Yes, without a doubt. Research going back for more than a decade has shown that colonoscopies save lives. In fact, a 2018 study from Kaiser Permanente found a 67% reduction in cancer death among people who got a screening colonoscopy.***
7. A colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure.
No hospital stay is needed! The colonoscopy usually takes place in an outpatient surgical center, a specialized clinic or in a hospital in an outpatient setting. Since patients are given sedatives for the procedure, it’s important that someone is available to pick up the patient from the hospital and transport them home since it won’t be safe for the patient to drive afterward.
8. A colonoscopy typically takes only 30-60 minutes.
That’s all it takes! Once the patient is sedated, the doctor inserts a camera mounted on a long, flexible tube into the rectum and colon. If there are any polyps or growths, the doctor removes them and sends them out for a biopsy. Most patients must arrive an hour ahead of time to get ready and plan on about an hour afterwards.
9. The prep can be… a little unpleasant.
Let’s be honest, how many of you put off scheduling a colonoscopy because of the preparation? Well, here’s something you should remember. A colonoscopy can save your life, just like it has for thousands of other people. And the preparation, or cleaning out of your bowels before the procedure, has gotten so much easier. Dosing regimens are easier to follow, and the diet restrictions are shorter. So, let’s get going and schedule that appointment.
10. It’s easy to get a colonoscopy appointment.
A colonoscopy is easy to schedule. Simply call the gastroenterologist department at Premier Medical and ask to schedule an appointment. You can also tell your primary care physician, who will refer you to a gastroenterologist for the appointment. It’s wise to call soon because sometimes there is a waiting time of a month or more.
Did you know that March is colon cancer awareness month? Help spread the word and keep your friends and family save. Most of all, be proactive and protect yourself.
As we like to say this month – screen early and stay healthy. Visit us at https://www.premiermedicalhv.com/ or reach us at our Fishkill and Poughkeepsie gastroenterology offices at 845-471-9410 or our New Windsor gastroenterology office at 845-562-0740, to talk to our staff and make an appointment.
*[https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11049480/]
**[https://theworlddata.com/colon-cancer-screening-statistics-in-us/]
***[https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/10/13/1128531054/colonoscopies-save-lives-doctors-push-back-against-european-study-that-casts-dou]