A Colonoscopy Can Save Your Life: Know the Updated Guidelines for Colorectal Screenings

The bad news? Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in America. 

The good news? A simple colonoscopy can detect colon cancer when it’s most treatable and even help prevent the disease from starting. 

Board-certified general surgeon, Luis A. Quinones, MD, and his team of experts at Q&S Surgical, use lifesaving colorectal cancer screenings to identify precancerous polyps, remove suspicious cells, and cure colon cancer. 

Minimally invasive colonoscopies offer the best protection against colorectal cancers. But guidelines for this test have changed in recent years. Keep reading to learn more about this important health screening and when it’s time to schedule yours. 

What is a colonoscopy? 

Colonoscopies are the gold standard when it comes to detecting colon cancer and precancerous colon growths, called polyps. This simple test is safe and effective and could save your life. 

Before the test, you drink a special liquid that helps clear your colon so your provider can better detect polyps and other signs of cancer. At the office, you receive medicine to help you rest comfortably during the procedure. 

During the colonoscopy, your provider uses a colonoscope, a flexible, thin tube inserted through your anus and rectum, to examine the entire colon. This tool inflates your large intestine with air so they can see the tissues better. 

If they find a polyp or other growth, they can remove it using special tools and send it to a lab for analysis. You don’t feel any pain during the exam or when your provider removes polyps or tissues. 

After the screening, you might feel bloated or gassy for the first hour after the colonoscopy. You’ll need a ride home, but you’ll be back to normal by the next day. 

What about other colorectal cancer screening tests?

There are different types of colorectal cancer screening tests, including options like:

• Fecal occult blood screening, which detects blood in your stool
• Stool DNA screening, which spots abnormal DNA and blood in your stool
• Double contrast barium enema and X-rays to look for polyps or tumors 
• Colonoscopy, which uses a tube and camera to detect polyps in the entire colon
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy, which is similar to a colonoscopy but for the lower third of the colon

Different options are available, but not all tests are right for each person. Only a qualified gastrointestinal provider can assess your needs and make the right recommendation. 

You might be interested in fecal tests because they don’t require special preparation and can be completed at home. But fecal tests aren’t as accurate as colonoscopies because they detect blood, not cancer.  

As such, a negative fecal test doesn't mean you’re cancer-free. And if you test positive for fecal blood, you still need to have a colonoscopy to check for the cause, which could be colon cancer but could also be the result of other issues, like an internal hemorrhoid.   

When do I need a colonoscopy?

When you need a colonoscopy depends on your risk factors and family history. The American Cancer Society recently updated recommendations for when people with “average risk” (no personal history of colorectal cancer, genetic markers, or inflammatory bowel disease) should start regular screenings, lowering the age of 45 to 50 years. 

We assess your risk using your medical and family history, any symptoms, and any relevant lifestyle factors. If you have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, we may recommend starting screenings at a younger age. 

Generally, all adults 45-75 years should have regular screenings every 3-10 years, depending on the results of prior screenings, the type of screening, and any individual risk factors. After age 75, your provider individualizes your screening cadence.  

Learn more about colonoscopies and find out when to schedule yours by setting up an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Quinones at his Lithonia or Decatur, Georgia, office.