Colonoscopy
What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a routine and safe procedure that helps your doctor check the health of your colon and rectum. Using a thin flexible tube with a small camera at the tip, your doctor can gently look inside the colon to make sure everything looks healthy.
During the exam, clear images appear on a monitor so the doctor can see the lining of your colon in detail. If any small areas of irritation, inflammation or tiny growths are seen, the doctor can easily take a sample(biopsy) or remove them for testing.
The procedure is safe, quick and done under sedation with your comfort in mind. You are expected to recover quickly and resume to normal activities the following day.
Why Are Colonoscopies Recommended?
Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) is the 2nd most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States, yet it is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Approximately 1 in 20 people will develop colon cancer in their lifetime. A cancer that is often preventable and curable when detected early.
What makes colonoscopy truly unique among cancer screening methods is that it’s both diagnostic and therapeutic. Colonoscopy is the only test that allows a biopsy or removal of a polyp at the very same time it is first identified. Removing polyps during a colonoscopy could stop colon cancer from growing or even cure it.
There is no way to completely eliminate the risk of developing colorectal cancer, but the systematic detection and removal of colon polyps during colonoscopies is the single most important intervention to reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer. Also, early detection of colorectal cancer by screening is the best way to improve the chance of a successful cancer cure.
The American Cancer Society now recommends colonoscopy screenings beginning at age 45 for those at average risk for colon cancer and is covered by insurance carriers as part of your preventable care. Your family history plays an important role in determining when to start screenings; if you have a first-degree relative who had colorectal cancer or advanced polyps, we typically recommend starting 10 years before the age your family member was diagnosed or by age 40.