Happy 50th birthday! You have lived for half a century and should celebrate this accomplishment. After the party, it is important to remember another important milestone in turning 50: it is time to schedule your first colonoscopy. March is colorectal cancer awareness month and good time to start the discussion with your loved ones, coworkers, and employees about this important exam. There are many free resources available on the Internet to help educate, answer questions and even send a fun birthday card (see end of article for a list of resources).
Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should have a screening colonoscopy, and then repeat the procedure every 10 years. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age, with more than 90 percent of cases occurring in persons aged 50 or older.
Men and women should begin screening earlier and/or more often if they have any of the following colorectal cancer risk factors:
- A strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- A known family history of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes
- A personal history of colorectal cancer
- A personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease
Colonoscopy is a common and very safe procedure that examines the lining of your lower intestinal tract called the colon or large intestine. Colonoscopy means “to look inside the colon.”
A gastroenterologist, commonly referred to as a GI doctor, is specially trained in the procedure, which uses a flexible tube that has a light and miniature TV camera on the tip. This instrument, often referred to as the “scope,” is placed in the rectum and advanced through the colon. It is connected to a television monitor that your doctor watches while performing the test. Various miniaturized tools can be inserted through the scope to help your doctor obtain biopsies (samples) of the colon and to perform a wide range of maneuvers to help diagnose or treat your condition.
When used as a colon cancer prevention method, colonoscopy can find potentially precancerous growths called polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer. This explains why colonoscopy is an invaluable tool that helps your doctor answer important questions about your digestive health and prevent certain diseases like colon cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of U.S. cancer deaths in both men and women. It is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Approximately 140,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year and more than 50,000 die. Colorectal cancer can be prevented nine out of 10 times through early detection with proper screening. Screening helps prevent colorectal cancer by finding precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Colonoscopy is the only screening method that allows for the detection and removal of polyps. Only about 50 percent of those who should be getting colonoscopies are doing so. And, more than 60 percent of Americans aged 50 or older — approximately 42 million people — have not utilized any screening method for colorectal cancer. Medicare covers a colonoscopy once every ten years for those 65 and over at average risk. In February 2013, the federal government issued an important clarification on preventive screening benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Patients with private insurance will no longer be liable for cost sharing when a pre-cancerous colon polyp is removed during screening colonoscopy. This ensures colorectal cancer screening is available to privately insured patients at no additional cost, as intended by the new healthcare law. Patients with Medicare coverage must still pay a co-insurance when a polyp is removed as a result of the screening colonoscopy. Patients with private insurance should check with their individual providers to learn the details of their coverage and ask about the Affordable Care Act.
Forest Canyon Endoscopy and Surgery Center encourages you to discuss colon cancer screening with your physician. To schedule your colonoscopy, please contact Northern Arizona Gastroenterology at 928-773-2547. FBN
To learn more information and obtain complimentary resources for your workplace on Colon Cancer Awareness please review the following websites:
http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/ColorectalAwareness/
http://www.screenforcoloncancer.org/send_ecards.asp
http://www.screenforcoloncancer.org/
http://preventcancer.org/prevention/preventable-cancers/colorectal-cancer/
http://www.eifoundation.org/programs/eifs-national-colorectal-cancer-research-alliance
http://gi.org/acg-institute/colorectal-cancer-awareness/
Forest Canyon Endoscopy and Surgery Center is a locally owned business and has been serving Flagstaff and Northern Arizona for more than 10 years. We perform a variety of procedures including gastrointestinal, urological, and ear, nose and throat procedures on adults and children over six months of age. Forest Canyon is Medicare Certified, and Accredited by AAAHC. We are located at 560 N. Switzer Canyon Dr, Flagstaff, AZ. For more information please contact us at 928-774-3044.
By Erik Flexman, MHPA, FACHE, CASC