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9 Lies About Colonoscopy: Believe Them at Your Own Risk!

9 Lies About Colonoscopy: Believe Them at Your Own Risk!

Colon cancers are among the deadliest in the US, but they often don’t have to be. When colon cancer is caught early, the survival rate increases significantly. The best way to stop colon cancer from forming or spreading is to have a colonoscopy. Yet, many people ignore the importance of screening because of myths about colonoscopies and colon cancer.

Are these myths increasing your risk of colon cancer?

A screening colonoscopy is too important to avoid. Let’s put these myths to rest!

1. I can’t go that long without eating.

If you’re worried about fasting the day before the test, don’t be. Yes, colonoscopy prep means you’ll be on a liquid diet the day before the procedure, but that actually includes more food options than you might think.

Clear broths (not soup) and fruit juices like apple or white grape, tea and coffee without cream and sugar, clear sodas, sports drinks, Jell-O, and popsicles are allowed, as long as they aren’t orange, purple, or red. The dyes used to create orange, purple, or red foods like popsicles can affect the color of your colon lining, making it difficult for your doctor to get accurate results from your colonoscopy. With careful planning and shopping, you can keep the hunger pains away.

2. I have diabetes; I can’t fast or follow a liquid diet.

Diabetes is associated with a greater risk of colon cancer, so it’s especially important for people with diabetes to have colon cancer screening. With careful management, a colonoscopy is safe for people with diabetes.

If you have diabetes, remind your gastroenterologist’s office when you schedule a colonoscopy. Ask for any special instructions and ask for the first appointment of the day, so you can get back to eating normally as soon as possible.

You should also talk to the doctor that treats your diabetes. He or she can help you plan how to manage your blood sugar before and after the colonoscopy. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to manage your medications and carbs. You may need to track your blood sugars more often than usual the day before and several days after the colonoscopy.

On the day of the colonoscopy, always take your testing supplies and insulin with you to the colonoscopy. Also, take glucose tablets or other foods to increase your blood sugar if needed.

3. A colonoscopy hurts

Although a colonoscopy sounds uncomfortable, you’ll be sedated during the procedure and won’t feel a thing. Afterward, you may feel some cramping or bloating, but you won’t feel pain from the procedure. The tools used in a colonoscopy are small enough to travel the colon without any side effects. In fact, they are often smaller than the stool you pass. The procedure is short, and most people return to their normal activities the following day.

4. Prep is too difficult

Sometimes the most dreaded part of the colonoscopy is the prep. It’s true that bowel prep is time-consuming; you’ll spend a lot of time in the bathroom the day before a colonoscopy. While the bowel prep may not be enjoyable, following prep instructions for a colonoscopy is essential.

The bowel needs to be thoroughly cleaned out for your doctor to be able to see the intestine walls and do a complete examination. If your bowel isn’t cleaned out well enough, you may need to return for another screening sooner.

5. It’s only a screening

A colonoscopy is considered a screening unless your doctor finds a polyp that needs to be removed and biopsied. At that point, a colonoscopy becomes diagnostic and preventive. Polyps can develop into colon cancer, and there is no other way to find and remove them than a colonoscopy.

Removing polyps before they can become cancer is the best way to prevent cancer.

6. I don’t have symptoms; I feel great!

Colon polyps, which can become cancerous, typically don’t cause symptoms. The earliest stages of colon cancer may not cause symptoms either.

A colonoscopy can prevent cancer by removing polyps before they can become cancerous. It can also prevent cancer from spreading by removing polyps in the earliest stages of cancer. Cancer caught in the earliest stages is more treatable than cancer in its later stages, after it’s spread. Finding and removing polyps early is essential.

7. Colonoscopy is risky

A colonoscopy is a quick, low-risk procedure. Most people return to their normal activities the day after a colonoscopy with no problem. Like most medical procedures, there is a slight chance of developing a complication from a colonoscopy. Complications with colonoscopy do exist, but they are extremely rare.

8. I don’t have any risk factors, I’m safe

It’s true that people with certain risk factors are more likely to develop colon cancer. Risk factors are a valuable tool for predicting who is most likely to get colon cancer, but they don’t guarantee that you will or will not. Many people without known risk factors still develop colon cancer.

9. I’m too young

Colon cancer is often considered a condition that only affects older people. While the risk does increase with age, it’s possible to get colon cancer as a young adult or even as a teen.

Colon cancer rates have been declining in people over 55, possibly due to awareness campaigns and increased screening in that age group. At the same time, the rates of colon cancer in people under 55 have been increasing by about 2% every year.

In fact, it is now recommended that people with an average risk of colon cancer begin regular screening at 45. People with known risk factors may even need to start younger.

Your Health is Too Important to Risk for a Myth

Talk to your doctor about your risk for colon cancer and when to start screening. If you’re 45 or older and haven’t had a screening colonoscopy, you may have a greater risk than you think.

Don’t delay any longer – schedule an appointment today!

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