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February Health Tip by Dr. Koller

Colon cancer is a relatively common malignancy that is now largely preventable.  Colonoscopy is a procedure that is available for those who choose colon cancer screening.  Adenomatous polyps are a common finding on colonoscopy.  These are pre-cancerous lesions that can be entirely removed and thus prevent colon cancer. 

Colonoscopy for the purpose of colon cancer screening is generally recommended at the age of fifty.  The exception to this rule is in those who have a family history of colon cancer.  If you have a family history of colon cancer, you should talk to your physician about the timing of colonoscopy.  Many times colonoscopy is done at an age younger than fifty in these higher risk groups.  Typically, those with a family history of colon cancer have screening colonoscopy every five years.  Otherwise, those of average risk of colon cancer are recommended to have colonoscopy every seven to ten years.  If you have adenomatous polyps, you may be asked to return in three to five years for repeat colonoscopy. 

It is said that the worst part of the colonoscopy experience is the taking of the bowel preparation.  This is a cleansing of the bowel in order that the gastroenterologist is able to visualize the colon.  Polyethylene glycol, many times under the brand names of Go-lytely or Co-lyte, is a bowel cleansing liquid commonly used in preparation for a colonoscopy.  In addition to taking a bowel cleanser, you are many times asked to maintain a clear liquid diet the day prior to the colonoscopy.

Virtual colonoscopy is a new, up and coming, procedure available in some centers for colon cancer screening.  This procedure involves using a CAT scan to visualize the colon.  The bowel preparation described above is still required.  If a polyp, mass, or other abnormality is visualized during the procedure, traditional colonoscopy is then performed to allow biopsy or removal of polyps.  The efficacy of using virtual colonoscopy for colon cancer screening will depend on the experience of those performing it.  Thus it may be a few years before we see virtual colonoscopy used routinely.  I am not currently recommending this procedure for colon cancer screening.

Other than for colon cancer screening, colonoscopy is also performed for those with unexplained blood per rectum, iron deficiency anemia, change in bowel habits and diarrhea.

I would encourage those above the age of fifty, those having any of the above symptoms, and those with family history of colon cancer to discuss colon cancer screening with their primary care physician.

Questions?  Please call your health care team at Fairview Clinic!  

For more information:
MU Health Sciences Library