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If there was a nearly 90 percent guarantee that one screening could save your life, would you do it? Surprisingly, when it comes to colon cancer and colonoscopies, not enough people are scheduling this very important diagnostic test.
Colon cancer - cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon) - is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Yet, as a slow-growing cancer, those at risk have the greatest chances of preventing it from occurring in the first place simply by scheduling a colonoscopy, the gold standard for colon cancer screening. Studies published as recently as January have found a direct correlation between increased colonoscopy rates and decreases in colorectal cancer mortality.
Nearly all colon cancers begin as noncancerous polyps, which slowly develop into cancer. If these polyps are removed, the patient can stop cancer in its tracks before it even develops. Therefore, early diagnosis most often leads to a complete cure.
It is unfortunate, though, that many people delay their screening colonoscopy, which is recommended every 10 years starting at age 50. Many patients don’t want to go through the prep if they are not feeling ill; however, if they wait until they start presenting symptoms of colon cancer, they are headed for considerably more medical procedures and treatments.
While vast improvements have been made on the preparation required for a colonoscopy, clinicians do recognize it is not pleasant. However, one day of discomfort every 10 years is a small price to pay when it comes to taking control of, and ultimately saving your life.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and it is during this very important recognition that clinicians such as myself hope to raise awareness of the importance of colonoscopies and how preventable this deadly disease can be. If you are age 50 or above and haven’t scheduled your screening colonoscopy, it’s time to talk with your healthcare provider and take this important step for your good health.
(Michael J. Komar, M.D., FACG, is director of Gastroenterology for Geisinger Health System.)
If there was a nearly 90 percent guarantee that one screening could save your life, would you do it? Surprisingly, when it comes to colon cancer and colonoscopies, not enough people are scheduling this very important diagnostic test.
Colon cancer - cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon) - is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Yet, as a slow-growing cancer, those at risk have the greatest chances of preventing it from occurring in the first place simply by scheduling a colonoscopy, the gold standard for colon cancer screening. Studies published as recently as January have found a direct correlation between increased colonoscopy rates and decreases in colorectal cancer mortality.
Nearly all colon cancers begin as noncancerous polyps, which slowly develop into cancer. If these polyps are removed, the patient can stop cancer in its tracks before it even develops. Therefore, early diagnosis most often leads to a complete cure.
It is unfortunate, though, that many people delay their screening colonoscopy, which is recommended every 10 years starting at age 50. Many patients don’t want to go through the prep if they are not feeling ill; however, if they wait until they start presenting symptoms of colon cancer, they are headed for considerably more medical procedures and treatments.
While vast improvements have been made on the preparation required for a colonoscopy, clinicians do recognize it is not pleasant. However, one day of discomfort every 10 years is a small price to pay when it comes to taking control of, and ultimately saving your life.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and it is during this very important recognition that clinicians such as myself hope to raise awareness of the importance of colonoscopies and how preventable this deadly disease can be. If you are age 50 or above and haven’t scheduled your screening colonoscopy, it’s time to talk with your healthcare provider and take this important step for your good health.
(Michael J. Komar, M.D., FACG, is director of Gastroenterology for Geisinger Health System.)
