You’re gonna put what up there? - Colon Cancer Prevention and the importance of screening colonoscopy

You’re gonna put what up there?

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month which makes this a great opportunity to talk about prevention and screening. Preventative wellness is one of the main cornerstones of HomeSteady Health Direct Primary Care and Colon Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the US.  You may be wondering why we ask so many questions about screening and why we do it.  No, its not just to drum up business for the hospitals and specialists.  We are finding out as much information as we can to try to prevent disease or catch it early enough so it can be easily managed.  

Colon Cancer is no different, and the main way we can catch colon cancer early is with screening through colonoscopy. This is often an uncomfortable topic as everyone gets a little squeamish when we talk about butts and bodily functions. The reality is colonoscopy catches cancer early when it is most easily treatable. If detected early, the 5 year survival rate is over 90% and studies show that regular colonoscopies reduce colorectal cancer death by 50%. Colonoscopies can also find and remove polyps before they become cancerous.

Colonoscopy screening is recommended starting after age 45 for low risk patients and sooner for those with risk factors.  Many patients are worried that it will be an awful experience, but the reality is - It’s not as bad as you think.  The procedure is done under sedation, so you won’t feel anything and you likely won’t remember it either. The hardest part is the bowel prep, but newer prep solutions are easier to tolerate.  While you are asleep a gastroenterologist or surgeon will send a camera through your colon and investigate it’s tissue, removing areas of concern. Colonoscopy can also diagnose other diseases that may be causing abdominal symptoms.   After a short recovery, you are back on your feet and walking out of the clinic.  

If you are unable to tolerate this procedure, there are other alternatives that can help determine your risk.  Either way, if you are entering the middle years, screening for cancers, including colon cancers, should begin to move higher up your list of wellness concerns.  If you are entering your 40s or have family members who have had colon cancer, you should be having the conversation with your provider about colon cancer prevention.  It may just save your life.