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American Medicine

We are all told that after age 50 we should have a screening colonoscopy. This reduces the risk of death from colon cancer by finding and removing polyps that can cause cancer later. But the difficult preparation for having a colonoscopy prevents many people from agreeing to have periodic colonoscopies, and many older patients have a dangerously high risk from repeated colonoscopy examinations.

A recent article examined what options a person has and what are the benefits of each http://bit.ly/UgUatC . The results show that following a negative colonoscopy, having annual check for blood in the stool is as effective in reducing risk of colon cancer compared to having repeated colonoscopy exams. This is important not only for reducing side effects of colonoscopy, but also it reduces costs of care and patient co-pays.

How often should you have a colonoscopy or other screening for cancer?

What should you do?

• Discuss with your doctor about screening for colon cancer at age 50.
• If your colonoscopy is clear (no cancer, no polyps) ask your physician about screening with stool blood checks.
• If you are too old or have too many conditions that make the risk of colonoscopy too high, ask about having annual stool check for blood to detect any early cancer or polyp before it gets serious.
• If your doctor insists on more frequent colonoscopy exams, ask why and consider getting a second opinion. Colonoscopy exams can have side effects and complications and you do not need too many.

See Chapter 9 Preventing Illness in my new book Surviving American Medicine for more information that can help you.