Colonoscopy
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, among men and women. According to the American Cancer Society, it is also on the rise in people younger than age 55 and is now the leading cause of death in men younger than 50 and the second cause in women that age.
Colorectal cancer is preventable through regular screening, during which precancerous lesions can be removed before they turn into cancer, and most treatable when detected early.
Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Screening is key to preventing colorectal cancer, beginning at age 45 for individuals at average risk without a family or personal history of colon cancer or precancerous growths known as polyps, inflammatory bowel disease or a genetic syndrome. The benefits of colon cancer screening are clear, as it can detect polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer and find cancer early when treatment is most effective. The recommended screening options for those at average risk are colonoscopy and at-home stool tests.
Speak with your primary care physician about your screening options and what screening(s) may be appropriate for you.
What is a colonoscopy?
Of the types of colon cancer screening methods available, colonoscopy is considered the gold standard test. During a colonoscopy procedure, a physician can view the entire colon and rectum through a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera at the tip (called a colonoscope) and detect abnormalities. It is the most effective way to find cancer and precancerous lesions and to remove abnormal tissue (polyps) and biopsy any areas of concern.
How often is a colonoscopy screening recommended?
A colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years for people who do not have an increased risk of colon cancer.
What type of preparation is involved prior to a colonoscopy?
As a patient’s colon needs to be clear for the physician to be able to successfully view the colon and rectum, a bowel prep kit will be prescribed by a gastroenterologist or a colon and rectal surgeon to use the day before the colonoscopy procedure. This kit consists of an oral laxative formula which a patient will drink to evacuate any remaining stool prior to arriving for the colonoscopy appointment. In addition, the patient will follow a diet of clear liquids one day before the colonoscopy. As a patient is not allowed to drive after the procedure, arrangements should be made for someone to bring the patient home after the screening is completed.
What should a patient expect during a colonoscopy procedure?
Upon arriving for the procedure, a patient will change into a hospital gown and receive sedating medication intravenously through the arm. This medication will continue to be administered during the colonoscopy. General anesthesia is typically not used for a colonoscopy, however a patienat will be relaxed and lightly asleep during the procedure. Once the patient is relaxed, the physician inserts the colonoscope into the rectum and slowly moves the scope through the colon, viewing the interior wall on a nearby monitor for any abnormalities - then pulls the scope back the same route.
A colonoscopy screening takes about 20 to 30 minutes. After the procedure, a patient will spend time in a recovery area while the sedating medication wears off. After receiving discharge instructions, a patient will proceed home with the support of their arranged ride.
What is a stool test?
Another option for screening is an at-home stool test such as a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and Cologuard test. Both are non-invasive and utilize a kit to collect a small sample of stool, which is then sent to a lab for analysis. The FIT test uses antibodies to look for blood in the stool and is done once a year. Cologuard testing uses a combination of stool-based DNA and blood testing to detect abnormal cells that can indicate the presence of cancer and is typically repeated every three years. If either method tests positive, a follow-up colonoscopy is necessary for further evaluation.
Are colon cancer screenings covered by insurance?
The Affordable Care Act requires health plans that started on or after September 23, 2010 to cover colon cancer screening tests and in most cases, there should be no out-of-pocket costs for these tests.
