While significant improvements have been made to prevent colorectal cancer, only about 60 percent of the people in the US who should be screened for colorectal cancer actually have the test. Coyle said. Screening should begin at age 50 unless you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or adenomas, which are a type of polyp that may become cancer, or an inflammatory bowel disease. In such cases, screening should begin earlier.
Check with your health provider to determine which test is best for you. But the most important thing is to get tested. Thanks to medical advances in prevention, early detection and treatment, there are now more than 1 million survivors of colorectal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Adjust your medications. Remind your doctor of your medications at least a week before the exam — especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart problems or if you take medications or supplements that contain iron.
Also tell your doctor if you take aspirin or other medications that thin the blood, such as warfarin Coumadin, Jantoven ; newer anticoagulants, such as dabigatran Pradaxa or rivaroxaban Xarelto , used to reduce risk of blot clots or stroke; or heart medications that affect platelets, such as clopidogrel Plavix.
During a colonoscopy, you'll wear a gown, but likely nothing else. Sedation is usually recommended. Sometimes a mild sedative is given in pill form. In other cases, the sedative is combined with an intravenous pain medication to minimize any discomfort. You'll begin the exam lying on your side on the exam table, usually with your knees drawn toward your chest.
The doctor will insert a colonoscope into your rectum. The scope — which is long enough to reach the entire length of your colon — contains a light and a tube channel that allows the doctor to pump air or carbon dioxide into your colon. The air or carbon dioxide inflates the colon, which provides a better view of the lining of the colon. When the scope is moved or air is introduced, you may feel abdominal cramping or the urge to have a bowel movement.
The colonoscope also contains a tiny video camera at its tip. The camera sends images to an external monitor so that the doctor can study the inside of your colon. The doctor can also insert instruments through the channel to take tissue samples biopsies or remove polyps or other areas of abnormal tissue. After the exam, it takes about an hour to begin to recover from the sedative. You'll need someone to take you home because it can take up to a day for the full effects of the sedative to wear off.
Don't drive or make important decisions or go back to work for the rest of the day. If your doctor removed a polyp during your colonoscopy, you may be advised to eat a special diet temporarily.
You may feel bloated or pass gas for a few hours after the exam, as you clear the air from your colon. Walking may help relieve any discomfort. You may also notice a small amount of blood with your first bowel movement after the exam. Usually this isn't cause for alarm. The colon produces short-chain fatty acids, some of which may be important in preventing conditions such as colon cancer.
It also reabsorbs liquid so that only — millilitres are present in the faeces. Reasons to have a colonoscopy A colonoscopy can be used to look for cancer of the colon bowel cancer or colon polyps, which are growths on the lining of the colon that can sometimes be cancerous or may grow to be cancerous. A colonoscopy may be performed to find the cause of signs and symptoms including: bleeding from the rectum blood in the stools pus or mucus in the stools unexplained abdominal pain changes in bowel habits such as unexplained and long-lasting diarrhoea screening and surveillance for colorectal cancer.
Medical issues to consider Before the procedure, you need to discuss a range of issues with your doctor including: whether you are taking any blood thinning agents such as aspirin, clopidogrel, pradaxa or warfarin a list all medications prescription and non-prescription , vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements you are currently taking a clean bowel so that the doctor can see the colon lining. This cleaning process varies, but you may be told to modify your diet and avoid certain foods in the days before the procedure being given a 'bowel preparation kit' and instructions on how to use it.
The kit contains substances that help cleanse the bowel. It may also include liquid preparations that are designed to stimulate bowel movements, as well as laxative tablets and other preparations. It is vital that you strictly follow the instructions given to you by medical staff that you will be advised not to consume any foods or liquids, other than the liquids provided in the bowel preparation kit, in the six hours before the procedure.
Colonoscopy procedure Before the colonoscopy procedure, an intravenous line is inserted into the back of your hand to provide medications that make you relaxed and drowsy. You will be given medications that provide deep sedation so that you will not have any recollection of the procedure or feel pain. Colonoscopy is performed in a unit that is used for endoscopy procedures only. The patient lies on their left-hand side with their knees tucked up to their chest.
The colonoscope is gently inserted through the anus and up into the colon, and air or carbon dioxide is introduced to help the colonoscope pass. Once the colonoscope has reached the point where the colon joins the small intestine, the doctor slowly withdraws it while looking carefully at the colon lining. Photographs may be taken. The procedure generally takes 15 to 30 minutes.. If colon polyps are found during a colonoscopy, they are removed and the tissue is sent for analysis to determine if the polyp is cancerous.
Polyp removal or biopsy may cause bleeding. Bleeding may be stopped during the procedure using clips or other methods. If the bleeding is severe, it may require blood transfusion or re-insertion of the colonoscope to control the bleeding. Immediately after colonoscopy After the procedure, It is possible that you may have: bloating gas mild cramping. You may be offered a drink and something light to eat about one hour after you are fully awake.
Usually you can go home after about four hours. Complications of colonoscopy Colonoscopy is a safe procedure, although complications may rarely occur.
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