Are You at Risk?
Presented by Andrew Rikkers, DO, General Surgery, Monroe Clinic
When: 6 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2008
Where: Founders Hall, lower level of the clinic building - 515 22nd Ave., Monroe, WI
There is no cost to attend. To register, call 1-877-865-1462 or visit www.monroeclinic.org and click on "Classes & Events." Participants have a chance to win a free appointment with a dietitian. Light refreshments will be served.
Topics covered:
• Causes and symptoms of colorectal cancer
• The tests that could save your life
• Food choices and recipes for a healthy colon
Q. I'm at that time in my life where I need to start thinking about getting a colonoscopy. What can you tell me about this test that I might not already know?
A. For many adults, a colonoscopy is often one of the most dreaded health maintenance procedures. Much of that dread is based on fearing the unknown, including the procedure itself or the possible test findings.
A colonoscopy is a fairly brief and relatively painless exam (the actual procedure requires about 30 minutes, and it is usually done on an outpatient visit). Another important fact is getting a colonoscopy is one of the most effective means of preventing colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
Here are just a few more things you might not know about getting a colonoscopy:
1) Colonoscopies are not just for people with symptoms or a family history of colorectal cancer.
While family history can affect your risk of developing colorectal cancer, the truth is that this cancer most often strikes people over the age of 50 who have no risk factors in their family history. Ideally, a colonoscopy should catch cancer-causing growths before symptoms are obvious. The recommendation for getting a colonoscopy begins at age 50 and applies to people with no symptoms or risk factors other than increasing age.
2) If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may have to start getting screened sooner.
While most people with colorectal cancer have no family history, the fact remains that people with a family history are more likely to get colorectal cancer. If your siblings, parents or children have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer - especially if the cancer was found before age 50 - your risk is double that of a person without family history.
3) A colonoscopy is not just a screening; it can actually stop colon cancer in its tracks.
Most colorectal cancers develop in growths called polyps that are attached to the interior of the colon or rectum. If these polyps are spotted during a colonoscopy, they can be removed when the cancer is in its early stages or before it even develops.
4) If the cancer has progressed, further tissue removal may be needed.
If cancer has potentially spread beyond the confines of a polyp, surgical removal of the cancer is usually recommended. In recent years, minimally invasive techniques have offered a new alternative for this type of surgery.
After the diseased part of the colon is removed, the two healthy ends of the colon are sewn back together.
5) Many people find getting a colonoscopy isn't as bad as they thought it would be.
Because sedation is used to ease any discomfort during the exam, patients generally experience no discomfort and have no memory of the colonoscopy.
Most people who have experienced a colonoscopy will tell you the most difficult aspect of a colonoscopy is actually the colon prep (the one- or two-day period before the exam when the colon is cleared).
The good news? If your colon receives a clean bill of health and you have no other risk factors, you may get to wait another 10 years before preparing for your next colonoscopy.
A. For many adults, a colonoscopy is often one of the most dreaded health maintenance procedures. Much of that dread is based on fearing the unknown, including the procedure itself or the possible test findings.
A colonoscopy is a fairly brief and relatively painless exam (the actual procedure requires about 30 minutes, and it is usually done on an outpatient visit). Another important fact is getting a colonoscopy is one of the most effective means of preventing colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
Here are just a few more things you might not know about getting a colonoscopy:
1) Colonoscopies are not just for people with symptoms or a family history of colorectal cancer.
While family history can affect your risk of developing colorectal cancer, the truth is that this cancer most often strikes people over the age of 50 who have no risk factors in their family history. Ideally, a colonoscopy should catch cancer-causing growths before symptoms are obvious. The recommendation for getting a colonoscopy begins at age 50 and applies to people with no symptoms or risk factors other than increasing age.
2) If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may have to start getting screened sooner.
While most people with colorectal cancer have no family history, the fact remains that people with a family history are more likely to get colorectal cancer. If your siblings, parents or children have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer - especially if the cancer was found before age 50 - your risk is double that of a person without family history.
3) A colonoscopy is not just a screening; it can actually stop colon cancer in its tracks.
Most colorectal cancers develop in growths called polyps that are attached to the interior of the colon or rectum. If these polyps are spotted during a colonoscopy, they can be removed when the cancer is in its early stages or before it even develops.
4) If the cancer has progressed, further tissue removal may be needed.
If cancer has potentially spread beyond the confines of a polyp, surgical removal of the cancer is usually recommended. In recent years, minimally invasive techniques have offered a new alternative for this type of surgery.
After the diseased part of the colon is removed, the two healthy ends of the colon are sewn back together.
5) Many people find getting a colonoscopy isn't as bad as they thought it would be.
Because sedation is used to ease any discomfort during the exam, patients generally experience no discomfort and have no memory of the colonoscopy.
Most people who have experienced a colonoscopy will tell you the most difficult aspect of a colonoscopy is actually the colon prep (the one- or two-day period before the exam when the colon is cleared).
The good news? If your colon receives a clean bill of health and you have no other risk factors, you may get to wait another 10 years before preparing for your next colonoscopy.
