Could a colonoscopy save your life?

The American Cancer Society estimates that over 148,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer every year and 49,000 die from it annually.  This makes it a major health concern around the world, as well as the 3rd most common cause of cancer-related death.  Risk factors for colon cancer include:

• Race: African Americans are more at risk than their Caucasian counterparts, while both are at higher risk than those Hispanic background
• Age: incidence peaks at about age 65
• Smoking
• Fatty, low fiber diet
• Family history:
  • Familial Adenomatous Polyposis -  genetic condition where affected individuals will have 100% risk of developing colon cancer by age 40
  • Lynch syndrome:  carries a 40% lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer.  This syndrome is associated with a family history of endometrial, ovarian, stomach, liver, small intestine, and urothelial cancers as well as colon cancer.

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

The symptoms of colon cancer can be very nonspecific or not there at all.  In advanced cases, this type of cancer can cause abdominal tenderness, rectal bleeding, abdominal mass, or an enlarged liver.  It can also cause anemia in elderly patients, which can prompt further investigation into the cancer.

Could a colonoscopy save your life?

Appropriate screening and early detection is the most important factor for decreasing colon cancer mortality rates.  Getting a colposcopy and following screening guidelines can cut your risk of death from colon cancer by 50%.

Patients at average risk may undergo screening with a stool-based test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or optical colonoscopy. Patients at high risk should undergo screening with optical colonoscopy.  For adults older than 50 years old who are at average risk, the recommended screening interval is 10 years for colonoscopy; 5 years for flexible sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, and double contrast barium enema; and annually for fecal occult blood test.

Your screening schedule changes if a polyp is discovered and if you are at high risk.  Those with a mild family history of colon-cancer should start screening at 40 years old.  If you have a familial syndrome you should start screening much younger with routine colonoscopy.

Although we’ve known for years that screening is essential to reducing ones risk of colon cancer, continued research has shown that not only screening but early intervention allotted by colonoscopy can save your life.  Talk to your doctor about making a plan that fits your risk factors and lifestyle to start screening and encourage your loved ones to get screened.