Most people don’t think about colon health when they feel perfectly healthy.  No pain, no obvious change in daily routine, and certainly no reason to believe that anything could be wrong. That is exactly why colon cancer screening is so easy to put off. But the colon cancer cells breed quietly, pose no threat and have no early signs whatsoever, the disease is diagnosed only when the condition has progressed. Therefore, a screening test, when done early in life, is a preventive measure rather than a diagnostic test. 

Prevalence of Colon Cancer 

Just a few decades ago, colon cancer was largely seen as a disease of old age. People in their 60s were seen at risk. Today the picture is changing. The condition is now affecting younger generations, people particularly in their 40s. This shift is attributed to genetic predisposition and to a great extent to lifestyle habits.

Colon Cancer – Disease With No Warning Signs 

The strangest thing for colon cancer is that it develops without signs. When symptoms do appear, like changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal discomfort, or persistent changes in digestion, these are often associated with eating something wrong the previous day. These symptoms are invariably treated with diet corrections, laxatives, antacids and other digestive pills. As symptoms seem to settle with the basic at-home remedies, one tends to ignore the bigger problem that is breeding under the cover. Understanding these risk factors is the first step towards preventing colon cancer. Also, prioritizing early screening for colon cancer is important to reduce the risk.

Colon Cancer Screening Tools and How They Help

There are several types of colon cancer screening options available. Tests like the fecal occult blood or the stool DNA test check for blood in the stools. This can be because of small polyps or breeding cancer cells. Colonoscopy , on the other hand, is an image based test. A fine tube with a camera attached to it passes through the large intestine and rectum. It gives a direct view of the inner lining of the bowel. Colorectal surgeons and the GI experts rely on results of colonoscopy for more accurate diagnosis of colon cancer and other diseases of the colon. 

Why Age Matters

Colorectal cancer screening is not something linked to old age. According to the latest U.S. guidelines, the first colonoscopy must be done before the age of 50. This is further reduced to 45 for African Americans or people with a family history of cancer. 

An early screening helps eliminate polyps, fibroids and small growths that become visible during the colonoscopy procedure. As they are removed in their early stages, the odds of them turning cancerous is nipped. 

Don’t Let Fear Delay Screening

Avoiding colonoscopy until it becomes utmost necessary only increases the odds of getting a cancer diagnosis. However, despite its potential benefits, many people postpone colon cancer screening. And this is done because of various reasons – preparation, discomfort, or pure embarrassment. The reasons are different for different people.

No doubt these concerns are genuine. But the reality is that avoiding a screening test only keeps it undiscovered. Thereby allowing it to grow and spread at its own pace. A good doctor will handhold the patient at this time. Making the patient aware of the process, discussing preparation, sedation, and the recovery time beforehand makes the experience much less overwhelming.

Screening Is Not Only About Cancer Detection

There are high chances that a preventive colonoscopy will not lead to a cancer diagnosis. In reality, it only provides reassurance. On the other hand, if at all there is an abnormal result, it provides an opportunity to act in a phased and planned manner.

Early detection is known to boost treatment outcomes. When cancers are detected early and treated in their early stages, the treatment duration is small. It is more effective and less mentally and physically draining for the patient and family.  

Make Screening Part of Preventive Healthcare

Regular screening is one of the most practical steps to reduce the incidence of any disease. For colorectal cancer, a timely colonoscopy can improve the chances of detecting the condition early on. Healthy lifestyle habits when complemented with recommended screening, the chances of staying colon cancer free becomes a reality. Today, there are over 1.4 million survivors of colorectal cancer in the U.S.. This increase in survival rate is due to disease awareness, preventive screening and timely treatment.

Final Thoughts

It is a bitter reality that cancer incidence is on a rise. More and more people, in their younger ages, are now being diagnosed with different types of cancers. This is primarily due to a shift in their lifestyle habits. But Dr. Berookim, a top-rated Gastroenterologist at the Gastroenterology Institute of Southern California believes that these conditions can be prevented through proper guidance. Recommended screening for cancers like the colon cancer screening must further be used as a preventive tool rather than a diagnostic procedure. Visit your Beverly Hills doctor today for your colonoscopy. Get screened today before they turn cancerous. After all, prevention is certainly above cure.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Screening recommendations vary based on age, health, family history, and individual risk factors. Consult a qualified Gastroenterologist to discuss your case.