Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The current statistic is that one in every 20 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer. With proper screening at recommended intervals, we can reduce colon cancer death by up to 70 percent! Beginning at the age of 50 (age 45 for African Americans), men and women who are at average risk for colon cancer should get a colonoscopy every 5 to 10 years.
Colonoscopies offer the most comprehensive examination of the colon and are a method of prevention, diagnosis and treatment in a single procedure. During a colonoscopy, your gastroenterologist can remove precancerous growths, called polyps, before they become cancerous. What other screening exists that can actually prevent cancer? The answer is simple: there is none. Colonoscopy reigns supreme as the most powerful screening available to prevent malignant growths (Source: City of Hope).
Unfortunately, the CDC estimates that one third of Americans are not choosing to be screened for colon cancer. According to Donald David, M.D., clinical professor at chief at City of Hope’s Division of Gastroenterology, there are 5 myths regarding colon cancer that steer the unscreened population away from a colonoscopy. Read the following and see if you can find the fallacy in the following five misconceptions:
- "I do not need the test until I have symptoms." Colon cancer rarely presents symptoms in the early stages. By the time you may experience symptoms like bowel habit changes or blood in the stool, the cancer may already be at an advanced stage.
- "The procedure is painful." Most likely, you will not feel or remember anything about your colonoscopy. An anesthesiologist administers a sedative before the procedure, so it is like the colonoscopy never happened! The only unpleasant part is the bowel preparation, but the new split-dose prep is much easier to tolerate.
- "Colonoscopies are costly." Whether you have private insurance or Medicare, you should have little or no associated cost to your colonoscopy. Ask your health care provider to review your benefits with you before you schedule your procedure.
- "I am a woman and therefore less likely to get colorectal cancer and need screenings." It is true that more men get colon cancer than women, but males are only at a slightly higher risk. Anyone can get colon cancer, regardless of gender, ethnicity or age.
- “I’m scared – the results will probably bring bad news.” Most likely, you will have favorable results and be asked to schedule your next colonoscopy in ten years. Most polyps are benign and can be removed during a colonoscopy, which is GREAT news.