Colonoscopy Screening
Are you (or is someone you love) avoiding a colonoscopy?
Sure you know this screening is important but it’s easy to just put it off. Colonoscopies can be inconvenient and the preparation for the test is a little bit unpleasant but really, the benefits far outweigh these minor inconveniences.
The fact remains: regular colon screening for both men and women is the best way to monitor colon health and to catch any problems such as colon cancer early. Simply stated, colon screenings have been proven to reduce colon cancer deaths up to 90%.
Colon screening is important because:
- Colon polyps, the precursor to colon cancer, most often exhibit few if any symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment reduces death rates dramatically.
- If discovered early, colon cancer can often be cured with surgery alone. As the cancer spreads to include larger areas of the colon and surrounding structures, the treatment is much more involved, often requiring radiation or chemotherapy, with no guarantee of cure or effectiveness.
- The rate of colon cancer in those people who undergo regular colon screenings is about 1/2 that of those who do not.
Who should have a colonoscopy?
The American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), and the American College of Gastroenterologists (ACG) recommend routine testing for people age 50 and older who have a normal risk for colon cancer.
Some people are at higher risk and should begin testing earlier and be tested more frequently. Some factors that place you at higher risk are having a family history of colon cancer or having a disease that increases the risk of colon cancer such as ulcerative colitis or one that compromises the immune system.
If you have any signs or symptoms such as rectal bleeding, a screening should be done immediately and then every 6 months to a year until the problem is resolved. If you haven't had a colon screening or feel you are due to have another, talk to your doctor and get yours scheduled today. It may save your life.
If you have any questions or to schedule an appointment with a Granite Medical Physician or Nurse Practitioner please contact us.