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.