Colorectal cancer is one of the easiest cancers to prevent, but many people are afraid or unsure when they need to start getting screened. Colonoscopies are very effective for both detecting cancer early and preventing cancer from ever developing, since they can remove precancerous lesions.
This blog will provide expert information regarding when to receive your colonoscopy, which demographic runs a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer and how timely screenings can save lives.
What Is a Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is used for diagnostic purposes by inserting a flexible tube with a camera into the body to view and inspect the inner lining of the colon and rectum. This allows the doctor an opportunity to check for problems such as inflammation, ulcerations, and polyps, small amounts of tissue that can potentially develop into cancer over time.
Why is a colonoscopy important?
While most patients do not know that they have colorectal cancer, it actually has little to no symptoms in its earlier stages. By performing screenings, the doctor can discover the cancer when it is in its earliest and most treatable form, as well as prevent any potential precancerous polyps from becoming a problem, and track those patients who may be at greater risk. Because of this, colonoscopy has proven to be one of the most effective methods of reducing the risk of developing cancer through early discovery.
When Should You Get Your Colonoscopy?
- Individuals who do not exhibit symptoms or have a family history of colorectal cancer are recommended to commence screening for the disease beginning at the age of 45 and, if results are normal, repeat screenings every ten years. This guideline, reflecting a significant increase in the prevalence of colorectal cancer among younger adults, is endorsed by leading global health organisations.
- Individuals with a first-degree relative (i.e. parent, sibling or child) who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or bowel polyps are advised to commence screening beginning at the age of 40 or, if younger than 40 at the time of their first-degree relative’s diagnosis, then they will be screened 10 years younger than the age at which the first-degree relative was diagnosed. In addition to following the above recommendations, individuals with a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer or bowel polyps may need to undergo screening more frequently.
- Individuals who have inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, genetic mutations such as Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps should strongly consider starting screening at an earlier age and having more frequent screenings.
- Regardless of age, should you experience any of the following symptoms, please contact your physician: ongoing pain or discomfort in your abdomen; the presence of blood in your stool; unexplained weight loss; changes to your bowel habits (either diarrhoea or constipation); or fatigue/weakness. These symptoms may or may not be due to colorectal cancer, but you should receive an appropriate evaluation if any of the above symptoms are present.
In most cases, people are afraid of how much it’s going to hurt, but a Colonoscopy is usually safe and can be well tolerated. You will go on a special diet leading up to the procedure and will take a bowel prep solution to clean out your bowels before you have your Colonoscopy. Sedation is administered during the procedure for comfort, and the procedure itself typically lasts about 20-30 minutes. After your colonoscopy, you may experience mild bloating, but you will most likely resume all your normal daily routine within 24 hours after having had the procedure.
Getting a Colonoscopy at the correct time will often determine if you can catch an early-stage tumour or if you catch it at an advanced stage. It is not just a test, it is also a screening procedure which could save your life. If you are 45 or older or have risk factors for Colon Cancer, talk to your physician about scheduling a screening for Colon Cancer. Do something today that could protect your health for years to come!