You've probably heard of a colonoscopy somewhere. Most of the time, we hear about the preparation for it. The night before the test, you have to drink a special liquid to completely cleanse your intestines. It doesn't really sound like such a simple thing to do, does it? But, there's a very important reason why doctors recommend this test for people between the ages of 45 and 75, even if you don't have any symptoms. Let's talk about it today.
What does this test actually look for?
Simply put, a colonoscopy is a special test for colorectal cancer (CRC). Both of these parts are located in our large intestine, which is the last part of our digestive system. The large intestine absorbs water and nutrients from the food we eat and stores the remaining waste (called feces). Then, the waste passes through the rectum before leaving the body.
The most dangerous thing about colon cancer is that it doesn't show any symptoms in the early stages .
Imagine, some symptoms start to appear. For example, changes in bowel habits (often constipation), blood in the stool, a feeling that the stomach has not completely emptied, persistent abdominal pain or bloating. Sometimes, weight loss, pencil-thin stools, weakness, and extreme fatigue can also be associated with this. But the problem is, by the time you experience these symptoms, the cancer is usually quite advanced, meaning it has likely spread far and wide .
However, this test is not just used to detect cancer. It is also used to diagnose many other problems.
- Ulcerations in the intestine
- Inflammation in the intestine
- Small pouches (diverticula) that form in the intestinal wall
- Narrowing of some parts of the intestine (Strictures)
- Causes of unexplained, long-term diarrhea
- Unexplained bleeding in the digestive system
In fact, colonoscopy is not only a test to detect cancer. It is also a powerful way to prevent cancer from developing.
This is a very important point. How does this happen? When doctors do this test, they look for things like small growths (polyps) in the colon that could become cancerous. If they see something like that, they can remove that growth right away. This means that this test can remove something that could have become cancerous in the future and save you from a big risk.
How exactly is this test done?
With a colonoscopy, your doctor can clearly see the inside of your entire colon and rectum.
The day before the test, you will be given a special laxative drink to completely cleanse your intestines. This is the part that most people don't like. However, this step is essential so that the doctor can see the inside of your intestines clearly.
During the test, the doctor uses a pen-sized, flexible tube (colonoscope) with a small camera attached. This tube is carefully inserted through your anus and guided up your colon. As it passes, you can watch the images from the camera on a screen. While the tube is in place, a small amount of air is blown into the colon to keep it open and not constricted.
The doctor will mainly check for polyps, which we talked about earlier. If there are any, he can remove them right away. The entire procedure usually takes about 30 minutes. You don't have to worry about this because you will be given anesthesia to avoid any discomfort.
When should I take this test?
Because colon cancer often develops with age, your doctor may recommend that you have your first colonoscopy at age 45 .
However, there are some situations where you may be at higher risk. For example, if a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister, or child) has had bowel cancer, you may be advised to have this test at an even younger age.
The good news is that if no polyps are found during the first test, you will only need to have your next test after 10 years . However, if polyps are found, your doctor may ask you to have your next test in 3-5 years, depending on their nature.
What other ways are there to detect cancer?
There are several other methods besides colonoscopy. But each of them has its limitations. Let's take a look at them.
| Name of the test | How to do it | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Fecal Occult Blood Test | A stool sample is checked for blood. | Every year |
| Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) | They use antibodies to check for human blood in the stool. | Every year |
| FIT-DNA Test | The FIT test looks for cancer-related DNA changes in stool. | Every 1-3 years |
| CT Colonography | X-rays and computers take 3D images of the intestines. | Every 5 years |
| Sigmoidoscopy | It's like a colonoscopy, but only the rectum and part of the large intestine are examined. | Every 5-10 years |
But the most important thing here is that if any of these other tests find a polyp or confirm that there is blood in the stool, you will definitely need to have a colonoscopy to remove it or look at it more closely .
That's why colonoscopy is considered the "gold standard" in this field, because it can both detect the disease and treat it (remove polyps) at the same time.
Why do so many people avoid this?
There are two main reasons why people don't do this valuable test.
1. Saying , "My doctor didn't tell me to do this."
2. Thinking that "cleansing the stomach is very difficult."
The answer to the first question is up to you. If you're over 45 and your doctor hasn't mentioned it to you, ask him . Asking, "Doctor, is it time for me to have a colonoscopy?" is an important step you can take for your own health.
The second thing is the fear of bowel prep. It's true, it's a little uncomfortable. But think about it, if you can avoid cancer for 10 years with just one day of discomfort, how much is it worth? Also, the medications and methods used for this have improved a lot now. You can talk to your doctor about the most suitable and easiest method for you. When compared to preventing cancer, this is really a small price to pay.
Take-Home Message
- Colonoscopy is a very important test for early detection of colon cancer. It is usually recommended after the age of 45.
- This not only detects cancer, but also removes polyps that can become cancerous, preventing cancer from developing.
- Although preparing for the test can be a bit difficult, the long-term health benefits it provides are far more than worth it.
- If you have any questions about this, don't be afraid. Talk openly with your doctor . He or she will explain everything to you.
- If you're of the right age and your doctor hasn't mentioned this, you should ask about it. Your health is your responsibility.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න