March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer affects men and women equally, is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, and the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It was estimated that over 141,000 new cases were diagnosed in 2011 and of those cases roughly 50,000 Americans were expected to die. It is important to note that despite these statistics, colorectal cancer is a highly preventable and treatable disease if caught early.
The “gold standard” for detecting colorectal cancer is the colonoscopy. The day before a colonoscopy patients prepare for the procedure in the privacy of their own home. A colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure that takes less than 30 minutes and is typically performed using sedation to keep patients relaxed and comfortable. This simple procedure is performed by a gastroenterologist who inserts a flexible scope into the rectum and colon to search for abnormal growths known as polyps. If polyps are found, they are removed and sent to a lab for analysis. The colonoscopy is an essential component to reducing one’s colorectal cancer risk and is covered by Medicare and most insurance companies.
A study just published in the Feb. 23r 2012 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine provides the most compelling data to date regarding the efficacy of colonoscopy. In that study, patients were tracked as long as 20 years. The death rate for colon cancer was reduced by 53 percent in those patients who had a colonoscopy and had adenomatous polyps (benign pre-cancerous polyp) removed during the colonoscopy. This highlights the fact that screening colonoscopy saves lives.
There is a strong genetic component with colorectal cancer so knowing your family’s medical history is extremely important. Don’t be shy about opening up a conversation with your family about your own family’s health history. Individuals with no family history of colorectal cancer or polyps should have their first screening colonoscopy at age 50. African-Americans with no known risks should have their first screening colonoscopy at age 45. If colorectal cancer runs in your family, talk with your doctor about earlier screenings.
It is natural to feel embarrassed or anxious about the prospect of having a colonoscopy, and to have concerns about any possible discomfort during the procedure. Colonoscopies are completely private and the anesthesia sedation will help relax you and assist in making you more comfortable. Afterwards, most patients say the worry was far worse than the prep or procedure.
Please take the time to learn your family’s medical history, and then talk to your doctor about your own risk factors and when it’s time for your first colonoscopy.