Time for your first colonoscopy? Don’t be embarrassed. This test could save your life.
When her husband died of colon cancer at the age of 42, Katie Couric had a colonoscopy on live national television. Her goal: to erase the stigma associated with the exam. Only 55 percent of people who should be getting screened, do; even though colonoscopies are the single-best way to prevent colon cancer. It generally takes 10 years for a benign polyp to turn into cancer, so having them removed during routine colonoscopies can lower your colon cancer risk by up to 90 percent.
Who needs it
“If you have a colon, you’re at risk for colon cancer,” says gastroenterologist Lisa Ganjhu, D.O., attending physician at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York. Men and women over the age of 50, and anyone who has a first-degree relative with a history of polyps or colon cancer need to be screened. Those with a family history should get their first colonoscopy 10 years earlier than the age when their relative was diagnosed.
When to do it
Get your colonoscopy earlier in the day. According to a study at University of California, Los Angeles, morning procedures found 27 percent more polyps per patient than in cases later in the day. Also, when scheduling your colonoscopy, ask for a qualified gastrointestinal endoscopist.
Before the big day
It’s the prep work that most people dread. Throughout the day before the procedure, patients drink two liters of laxatives to clear out their bowels. The cleaner they are, the less obstructed the view will be for the physician—so no cheating! And don’t venture too far from the toilet. (If you have kidney or renal problems, tell your healthcare provider or test scheduler. Some bowel cleansing preparations can be harmful for people with kidney or renal problems.)
Relax and enjoy the ride
Showing up is the easy part. A colonoscopy is a relatively painless procedure, helped out in part by sedatives and painkillers. “The medication usually helps to relax patients. I also try to talk to my patients to alleviate their anxiety. Comfort is key,” says Ganjhu.
What to expect
Once the sedatives take effect, the doctor will have you turn on your side and snake a tube with a video camera, called a colonoscope, attached to it up through the colon. If you’re curious—and awake—you can watch the TV monitor for a guided tour of your insides. During the colonoscopy, your doctor can insert other instruments to take tissue samples (biopsies) or remove polyps. Your doctor will then follow up with you regarding your biopsy results.
Take the day off
Even though the procedure usually takes just 20 minutes, the sedatives could last for up to six hours. Don’t go to work, drive, operate heavy machinery or make any real decisions.
Just to clear the air
There’s nothing they haven’t heard before. “I tell my patients that passing gas is music to my ears,” says Ganjhu. “It means the colon is healthy and doing its job. We want you to release it so you won’t be uncomfortable later.”
How does polyp size and type affect your treatment? Find out
