Colon Cancer Prevention

Colonoscopy is an effective procedure to diagnose abnormalities of the large intestine and to screen for colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps. During a colonoscopy, a long, thin flexible tube with a camera provides magnified views of the colon and rectum. This allows the physician to look, identify and remove abnormalities and colon polyps. If these abnormalities and colon polyps are not removed, they may develop into cancer. Therefore, colonoscopy can be a therapeutic, life-saving procedure. Although a bowel cleanse is required before the procedure, a colonoscopy is a safe procedure that is frequently performed in an outpatient setting with minimal discomfort and inconvenience.

Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosing conditions of the colon such as inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease, bleeding conditions, and unexplained diarrhea. It is also the gold standard for screening for colon cancer, often beginning with the detection of precursors to colon cancer.

Due to a recent alarming rise in colorectal cancer among individuals younger than 50, the American Cancer Society lowered the recommended age for initiation of screening to 45 years in 2018. Therefore, colonoscopy is now routinely recommended for adults starting at the age of 45. Patients with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps may be advised to undergo colonoscopy earlier and more frequently. Your doctor may also recommend a colonoscopy to evaluate symptoms such as rectal bleeding and changes in bowel habits. Both men and women should undergo this procedure.

Colonoscopy is also recommended for:

• Follow-up examinations for patients with a personal history of colorectal cancer or colon/rectal polyps
• Patients with acute or chronic anemia
• Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s disease or colitis)
• Patients with certain familial hereditary conditions such as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome)

Colon Cancer in Young Adults

According to a study from the American Cancer Society, the diagnosis of colorectal cancer in individuals younger than 50 has almost doubled since 1995, showing a steeper increase than previously recognized. In the last decade, the proportion of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer in individuals younger than 55 has increased from 11% to 20%. The causes are elusive, but new cases of colorectal cancer rise by 2% annually among individuals younger than 50 and those between 50 and 54. As incidence in young adults has increased, there has been a decline among people aged 65 or older, attributed to screening in adults 50 and over.

“We know rates are increasing in young people, but it’s alarming to see how rapidly the whole patient population is shifting younger, despite shrinking numbers in the overall population. The trend toward more advanced disease in people of all ages is also surprising and should motivate everyone 45 and older to get screened.”

If you are experiencing issues of concern, you should be evaluated to determine if a diagnostic colonoscopy is advisable regardless of your age or how long it has been since your last one. If you have gastrointestinal bleeding, unexplained changes in bowel habits, or any suspicion of malignancy, or if you suspect inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulitis, a colonoscopy can help in diagnosis.

What are the benefits of a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. The procedure allows for the detection and removal of colon polyps that may develop into cancer. No other screening test can remove precursors of colorectal cancer. Additionally, colonoscopy is used to investigate and diagnose other diseases affecting the intestines and presenting with various symptoms.

What are the risks of a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a very safe procedure with complications occurring in less than 1% of patients. Infrequent risks include bleeding, perforation (a tear in the intestine), rare side effects from sedation, inability to complete the colonoscopy, and inability to visualize the entire colon for polyps or other conditions. For anatomical reasons, your physician may deem it unsafe to complete the colonoscopy and will therefore terminate the examination. In such cases, your physician will discuss whether additional or alternative examinations are indicated.

Procedure

You will be asked to limit your intake of high-fiber foods a few days before the procedure. The day before the colonoscopy, you will follow a bowel cleansing regimen to clean out your colon.

Depending on your medical history, a colonoscopy may be performed at a certified ambulatory surgical center or hospital facility. Our physicians work alongside highly skilled certified gastroenterology nurses and anesthesiologists.

We offer an Open Access Colonoscopy Program, designed to provide the convenience of scheduling your colonoscopy without the additional wait for an office consultation.

For more information on our Open Access Colonoscopy Program, please visit the Open Access Colonoscopy tab under the Services section of the website or click the button below.