Colon Cancer, When Is It Time To Get A Colonoscopy?
Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death from cancer in both men and women. The colon, or large intestine, is the part of your digestive system that absorbs water and nutrients from what you eat or drink. If there are problems with this process, such as a blockage or a tumor on the wall of the colon, it can lead to colon cancer.
Colonoscopy screening is recommended for people with a family history or personal history of colon cancer. It’s important to get screened every five years if you’re over age 50 and have never had a colonoscopy before because early-stage cancers can be found during this procedure which may not show up otherwise until later stages when treatment becomes more difficult to provide.
Colonoscopy screening can also find polyps, which are abnormal growths on the colon wall. Polyps may not turn into cancer, but if they do, it’s important to catch it early. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, so getting screened for it is very important.
What is colon cancer, and what are the symptoms of it
Colon cancer is the development of cancer in the large intestine. It is the third most common type of cancer in the United States. The symptoms of colon cancer include blood in the stool, weight loss, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits.
Who should get a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy screening is recommended for people with a family or personal history of colon cancer. If you’re over age 50 and have never had a colonoscopy, get screened every five years. The colonoscopy tests for polyps could turn into cancer, as well as early-stage cancers. It can even find other health problems in the colon, like inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer.
What is a colonoscopy, and when should you get one
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at the inside of your colon and rectum. He or she will use a long, thin, lighted tube called a colonoscope to look for polyps or cancer. Polyps are growths on the lining of the colon or rectum that can turn into cancer.
If polyps are found, they can be removed during the colonoscopy. Colonoscopies are recommended for people age 50 and older who have never had one and every five years for those who have.
How colonoscopies can save lives by detecting early-stage cancers
Colonoscopies can save lives by detecting early-stage cancers. By finding and removing polyps during a colonoscopy, doctors can prevent these polyps from turning into cancer. Colonoscopies can also find cancers that are in the early stages when they are easier to treat.
What are the risks of colonoscopies?
Most people do not have any problems after a colonoscopy. Some people may have mild cramping or bloating. Rarely may a person experience a perforation (a hole) in the intestine.
This can happen if a polyp is removed during the colonoscopy. If you are pregnant, you should not have a colonoscopy. Talk to your doctor about whether a colonoscopy is right for you.
The importance of getting screened for colorectal cancer
Colon cancer is the development of cancer in the large intestine. It is the third most common type of cancer in the United States. The symptoms of colon cancer include blood in the stool, weight loss, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits.
Colonoscopy screening is recommended for people with a family or personal history of colon cancer. If you’re over age 50 and have never had a colonoscopy, get screened every five years. The colonoscopy tests for polyps could turn into cancer, as well as early-stage cancers. It can even find other health problems in the colon, like inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer.
Polyps, what they are, and why they need to be removed
Polyps are growths on the lining of the colon or rectum that can turn into cancer. If polyps are found, they can be removed during the colonoscopy. Polyps are often asymptomatic, which means that they do not cause any symptoms. That’s why it’s important to get screened for colon cancer with a colonoscopy, especially if you have a family or personal history of the disease.
How to prepare for a colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at the inside of your colon and rectum. He or she will use a long, thin, lighted tube called a colonoscope to look for polyps or cancer. Polyps are growths on the lining of the colon or rectum that can turn into cancer.
If polyps are found, they can be removed during the colonoscopy. Colonoscopies are recommended for people age 50 and older who have never had one and every five years for those who have.
Most people do not have any problems after a colonoscopy. Some people may have mild cramping or bloating. Rarely may a person experience a perforation (a hole) in the intestine.
This can happen if a polyp is removed during the colonoscopy. If you are pregnant, you should not have a colonoscopy. Talk to your doctor about whether a colonoscopy is right for you.
To prepare for a colonoscopy, your doctor will give you specific instructions on what to eat and drink before the procedure. You may be asked to avoid red meat, processed meat, and dairy products for 1-3 days before the procedure. You will also need to stop taking any blood thinners, like aspirin or warfarin, for at least seven days before the procedure.
On the day of the colonoscopy, you will need to arrive at the hospital or clinic 2 hours before the procedure. You will be given an IV and a sedative to help you relax.
You will not be able to drive home after the colonoscopy. You will need someone to take you home. Most people feel fine after the colonoscopy and can go back to their normal routine the next day.
What to expect during and after a colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to look inside your rectum and colon. You will be given medicine to help you relax, and then the doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube with a camera on end into your rectum. The tube will be passed through your entire colon. Pictures taken by the camera will be displayed on a monitor, so the doctor can see any abnormalities.
If any polyps or tumors are found, the doctor can remove them during the colonoscopy. You may experience some cramping and bloat after the procedure, but these symptoms should go away within a few days. You should be able to resume your regular activities immediately after the colonoscopy.
Colon cancer, when it is caught early, can be treated and cured
Colon cancer is the development of cancer in the large intestine. It is the third most common type of cancer in the United States. The symptoms of colon cancer include blood in the stool, weight loss, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits.
If colon cancer is caught early, it can often be treated and cured. That’s why it’s important to get screened for the disease with a colonoscopy, especially if you have a family or personal history of the disease.
Most people do not have any problems after a colonoscopy. Some people may have mild cramping or bloating. Rarely may a person experience a perforation (a hole) in the intestine. This can happen if a polyp is removed during the colonoscopy.
Colon Cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the United States. Colonoscopies are an important screening tool for colon cancer, especially if you have a family or personal history of it. If your doctor recommends one and you’ve never had one before, don’t be afraid. Most people experience no problems after the procedure and can resume their normal routine immediately afterward with few side effects.
