Colonoscopy Myth Number 6 - “If I was meant to get colorectal cancer it’ll happen anyway, so why get checked!”

One should never let anxiety or superstition cloud their ability to stay healthy. Colorectal cancer screening colonoscopies save lives by removing precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer.

The procedure is covered by the vast majority of insurances and can be done with open access scheduling. In addition, the procedure is safe and comfortable, and can be used to diagnosis other problems in the colon before they cause problems in the future.  

The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get a colonoscopy! In addition, individuals should also:

• Watch their weight
• Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains          
• Get regular exercise 
• Stop smoking                     
• Limit alcohol intake

If the thought of a colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy gives you anxiety or you are unsure if you need one, have a consultation with a Gastroenterologist as soon as possible.

Colonoscopy Myth Number 5 -“Colonoscopies are too risky!”

The most worrisome risk of a colonoscopy is a perforation. The risk of perforation is less than one in a 1000 and the risk of bleeding is less than 1%.  In the vast majority of the time, if a bleed occurs it can be stopped at the time of the colonoscopy.  

Another common myth is that when the doctor does the colonoscopy, they just look for polyps and nothing else in the colon or rectum!

Other Issues That Can be Identified with a Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is extremely useful to find other problems within the colon and rectum that may be treated to prevent future problems. 

• For example, in patients over the age of 50, diverticulosis is found in approximately 3 out of 5 patients screened.  
• Internal hemorrhoids are found in the majority of patients screened.  
• Colitis and Crohn’s disease can be diagnosed even before symptoms occur.
• Colonoscopy screenings for colorectal cancer may also result in finding other neoplasms such as carcinoid tumors and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Thus, the risks are substantially and significantly lower than a patient would face if they developed an end-stage colon cancer because they avoided getting a colonoscopy. Think about your health, your family, your future and schedule your screening colonoscopy today!

Colonoscopy Myth Number 4 - Colonoscopies are too painful because they never give enough sedation!

Colorectal cancer is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented because colorectal cancer screening (colonoscopy) allows doctors to find and remove hidden growths before they become cancer. Removing polyps can prevent cancer altogether. In fact, researchers believe that half of colorectal cancer deaths could potentially be prevented if everyone age 50 and older received recommended screenings. 

More than 99% of patients do not recall pain during the colonoscopy.  At most facilities that offer colorectal cancer screening colonoscopies, Anesthesia professionals administer intravenous medications with continuous monitoring, allowing the patient to sleep throughout their colonoscopy.  

Most patients don’t even remember the exam!  Once in a while patients even choose not to be sedated fully or at all during their colonoscopy, and the vast majority tolerate it very well.

Colonoscopy Myth Number 3 - “Colonoscopies are not accurate!”

Hyperplastic polyps, the most common nonneoplastic polyp, are small polyps that measure 1 to 5 mm in size. Short, Matthew W., et al. “Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance.” American Family Physician, 15 Jan. 2015, www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0115/p93.html#sec-2.

Of all the colorectal screening modalities, a colonoscopy is the best method to accurately find cancer and polyps than all other screening tests. Colonoscopies have been shown to detect 95% of all large polyps (>/= 10mm) and up to 85% of polyps less than 5mm. A Colonoscopy is the best method to rule out colorectal cancer.

A colonoscopy is the only screening test that allows the removal of precancerous polyps and therefore results in a high degree of prevention of colorectal cancer. Certain early colorectal cancers are cured with the removal of polyps during a colonoscopy.

Accuracy is further enhanced by having highly experienced Gastroenterologists perform the exam and abide by the quality parameters dictated by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, such as PMAGastroenterology.

Colonoscopy Myth Number 2 - I could never get a colonoscopy done because the bowel prep is so terrible!

Times have changed since patients were required many years ago to consume a gallon of salty bowel prep.

Today's Colonoscopy Prep

These days bowel preps are generally 2 liters, they can be consumed over several hours and are often flavored either by the manufacturer or are in powder form that can be mixed in 2 liters of a clear liquid that is palatable to the patient. Clear liquids include items such as Gatorade, apple juice, clear grape juice, or soda such as Sprite, 7-Up or ginger ale.  Basically anything that is not a dark color or red can be used with the bowel preparation.  

Additional Preparations

Other preparations involve consuming of a low-dose of a laxative -  ½ is consumed the day before the procedure and the other half is consumed the morning of the procedure.  This is called a split dose prep. 

If patients have had problems with nausea with past colonoscopy preparations, then the physician can give a medication to help prevent or calm the nausea.  

The preparations have to be effective as most people have a large intestine that is approximately 5 feet long.  Clearing all the fecal debris and washing the walls of the colon clean will allow the physician the best chance of finding and removing polyps.

This is not a myth: Colorectal Cancer is the 2nd leading cancer killer in the United States! Preventable. Treatable. Beatable.

Colonoscopy Myth Number 1 - “I don’t need a colonoscopy because I do not have any symptoms!”

Colorectal cancer in its early stages usually has no symptoms, so patients 50 and older should get screened. Importantly, in patients at any age with gastrointestinal problems, anemia or a family history of colorectal cancer, testing for colorectal cancer may need to be done much earlier.

In the vast majority of cases, colon cancers arise from tiny polyps that will continue to grow over time. These polyps, when small, do not cause any symptoms.  As polyps continue to grow in size, they have an increased likelihood to develop into cancers.  Polyps are removed during a colonoscopy to prevent cancer.  Once a polyp is fully removed, it cannot turn into cancer. The goal is to have a colonoscopy done before an individual develops bleeding, a change in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation, anemia, and weight loss, which are associated with progression to colon cancer.

Colon Cancer RISK FACTORS

People in the following categories are at greater risk of developing the disease:

• Individuals with a personal and/or family history of polyps or cancer
• People over age 50
• Those with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Individuals with the genetic conditions Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC) or Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
• Individuals of Eastern European Jewish descent and certain other ethnic groups including African Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives and Latinos

These health tips are not a substitute for speaking to a qualified health-care provider, talk to your primary care physician or specialist today! 

The Number One Colon Cancer Myth - “There is no way I can get colon cancer!”

The vast majority of colon cancers occur in patients without a family history of colon cancer.  It is estimated that 1 in 19 men and 1 in 20 women will get colon cancer. The sad fact is that most of these could be prevented with a timely screening colonoscopy.


Colonoscopy screenings have reduced the number of people diagnosed with colon cancer by 30% over the last 10 years. In the United States, the acceptance and utilization of screening colonoscopies have resulted in reductions of colon cancer and death by 80% in the rectum and left side of colon and by 40 to 60% in the right side of colon. 

A screening colonoscopy is recommended for everyone who is age 50+. However, individuals with lower gastrointestinal symptoms such as a change in bowel habits, change in stool consistency, unexplained diarrhea or constipation, rectal bleeding, iron deficiency,  unexplained weight loss, a family history of Colorectal Cancer, or a familial colon cancer gene syndrome may require a colonoscopy earlier than age 50.

Get a Colonoscopy Now!

If you suffer from any of these symptoms, or are age 50+ don't delay. If you are in the greater Philadelphia area, schedule an appointment with one of our Gastroenterologists today!