It seems to be one of the most popular tests to put off to another day. If you’re 50 you probably know what I’m talking about: colorectal cancer screening.
Most people immediately think of colonoscopy, and you may be turned off by stories of running to the bathroom every five minutes during the day-before prep, or maybe the thought of the exam itself makes you shudder.
But believe me, it really isn’t that bad — and it could save your life. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S., affecting one person in 20. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths each year.
The good news: with regular screening it can be prevented, which is why the Puget Sound Health Alliance tracks colon cancer screening as one if the indicators of good preventive care (go to www.wacommunitycheckup.org for more). Colorectal cancer screening should top your list of things to do when you turn 50.
A colonoscopy every 10 years — from age 50 to 75 — is just one of the recommended ways that your doctor can screen you for colorectal cancer. There are other options that can be equally effective.
One option: a flexible sigmoidoscopy (which is similar to a colonoscopy but looks only at the last third of the colon) every five years, with an additional fecal occult blood test (which tests for microscopic blood in the stool) every two to three years. Or you could choose to do fecal occult blood testing every year. Some experts also recommend virtual colonoscopy or stool DNA testing.
Your doctor can help explain the pros and cons of these different tests and help you choose the right one for you. As I tell my patients, it doesn’t matter which one you choose. It just matters that you choose one and do it!
Let’s say you choose a colonoscopy. This test can help detect early signs of cancer or even pre-cancer. Growths called “polyps” that are not yet cancer can be removed before they become cancerous.
The test itself is relatively simple and takes less than an hour. Your doctor will use a thin, flexible, lighted tube, called a colonoscope, to look at the lining of your colon, take pictures, and, if necessary, remove polyps or take biopsies. Your doctor will give you medicine before and during the test to ease discomfort.
Most people feel the prep before the exam is the worst part. In order for the doctor to get a good, clear look at the inner walls of your colon and rectum, they have to be clean. That means drinking clear liquids for a day, then taking a liquid or tablets that cause diarrhea to cleanse your colon.
But don’t let an afternoon on the toilet stop you from getting this crucial exam. Talk with your doctor about colorectal cancer screening options and which one is right for you. If you are past 50, it’s time to get it done. And for those of you about to turn 50? It can be a birthday gift to yourself to ensure a long and healthy second half of your life.
