Colonoscopy: What is it, Who Needs One, and Why It's Important for Colon Cancer Prevention
- Ginny Yelverton BSN-RN
- 10 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a procedure performed in a hospital or an ambulatory care facility. The doctor inserts a lighted scope (colonoscope) into the rectum. The colonoscope also inflates air into the colon so that the doctor can visualize the entire colon as he advances the scope. If anything such as a polyp is seen, the doctor will remove it and send it to pathology.
Who Needs a Colonoscopy
Colonoscopies are performed in the hospital setting often when patients have diagnosis of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, abnormal CT, or anemia. These patients are often experiencing acute problems requiring medical attention such as diverticulitis or colorectal cancer.
Colonoscopies are recommended for preventive colorectal cancer starting at the age of 45. These procedures can be performed at an ambulatory care facility or hospital. If the procedure is normal, it is recommended that the patient have a colonoscopy every 10 years. Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease, precancerous polyp removal during colonoscopy, or a family history of colorectal cancer may need to start screenings earlier and have more frequent colonoscopies.
Prepping for a Colonoscopy
From a patient's perspective, the hardest part of the colonoscopy is the bowel prep. The goal of the bowel prep is to eliminate stool in the colon and allow a clear image for the surgeon to view. Patients often are on clear liquid diets a day or so before the procedure. The bowel prep is determined by the doctor performing the procedure. The bowel prep is usually drank within several hours and causes complete bowel elimination of the colon, diarrhea and sometimes nausea. It is important patients stay well hydrated when taking the prep. It is also important patients complete the bowel prep to ensure adequate test results during the colonoscopy. When patients are unable to complete the bowel prep, they often present to the procedure with stool present and the doctor is unable to complete the colonoscopy. Unfortunately in cases such as this, the patient is sent home to re-prep, return and retry at another time.
Colonoscopies and Colon Cancer Prevention
Research suggests that colonoscopies for colon screenings starting at the recommended age may reduce colorectal cancer by 40%-69%. The estimated mortality reduction is 30%-80%. In my career as an endoscopic and perioperative nurse, I have witnessed the importance of colonoscopies used for colon screenings. I have seen polyps removed that would have led to colorectal cancer if left untreated. I have also witnessed patients who did not have early colon screenings and who face colorectal cancer complications that are life threatening but could have been prevented if they would have been proactive and started colon screenings earlier. It is important for individuals to be aware of their personal risks and educated on the importance of colonoscopies. The role they play in preventing colorectal cancer "sooner than later" is in some instances the difference between "life and death."
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
