What is Colonoscopy? What to Expect During a Colonoscopy Screening?

In 2022, it is estimated that colorectal cancer will claim over 52,000 lives in the United States. Colorectal cancer is in fact, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women combined, nationwide.

The silver lining is that when detected early, colorectal cancer is curable in most cases. The death rate from this disease in 2019 plummeted to 56% less than what it was in 1970. Thanks to the advancement in medical technology and improvements in colonoscopy screening that can locate abnormal behavior before the cells turn cancerous or at the very least detect the cancer at an early stage. Today, the United States has roughly 1.5 million colorectal cancer survivors.

What Are Some Colorectal Cancer Screening Methods?

There are different colorectal cancer screening methods used by doctors. We discuss some popular ones in this article.

• Colonoscopy

A flexible tube with a light fitted at the end (named colonoscope), is inserted into the rectum and colon. The colon is examined for signs of polyps and cancer. The doctor will remove polyps and/or a bit of the colon tissue for biopsy. The biopsy then reveals if any of the growth is cancerous.

• Fecal Occult Blood Test

The fecal occult blood test is carried out to detect blood in the patient’s stool. Finding blood in the fecal matter can indicate the presence of cancer or polyps. Sometimes the presence of blood can also indicate bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Since polyps and cancerous cells do not bleed regularly, the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) must be done on multiple stool samples throughout the year. FOBT is also to be repeated each year for it to be effective.

• Double Contrast Barium Enema

Patients over 75 are advised not a have a colonoscopy to forgo the risk of bleeding and perforation. There are other reasons why a colonoscopy may not be recommended. In such cases, a Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE) can help. The DCBE test is essentially taking a series of x-rays of the colon to identify the presence of precancerous polyps. An enema containing barium is injected to make the region show up on the x-ray. Note that a colonoscopy screening is more effective than a DCBE.

• Stool DNA Tests

The Stool DNA test analyzes the patient’s stool sample for changes in the DNA that may be indicative of cancerous growth. If a stool DNA test reveals that something is wrong with the makeup of the DNA, doctors will suggest a colonoscopy screening.

What to Expect in a Colonoscopy Screening?

Preparation

Avoid intaking solid food a day before the procedure. Drinks plain water, tea or coffee without milk and creamer. You can also have broth or carbonated beverages. Avoid any liquid that is red in color lest it be mistaken for blood.

The doctor will also prescribe a laxative for the night before the procedure. Depending on the patient’s history, you may also be asked to intake the laxative both the night before and the morning of the procedure. You should also let your doctor know of the medications you take, especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart ailments. You will be asked to lay off supplements containing iron as well.

During Colonoscopy

• The patient is sedated and a painkiller is injected intravenously to lessen discomfort. They are then asked to lay on their side with the knees drawn to their chest while the doctor inserts the colonoscope into their rectum.

• The colonoscope contains a light at the end and a tube. The tube is used to pump CO2, air, or water into the colon for better visualization of the insides. It will contain a tiny camera to take pictures of the inside of the colon. The doctor can also use the channel to scrape off tissue samples for biopsy.

• Patients report feeling cramped or having an urge for bowel movement during the procedure. A regular colonoscopy can last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.

After Colonoscopy

• It is recommended that the patient bring someone to drive them home after the procedure is over since the sedative will take a while to wear off.

• Feeling bloated and passing gas is normal after a colonoscopy as the colon gets rid of the air pumped inside.

• You might see some blood in the first bowel movement after the procedure. This is completely normal but if the bleeding persists after the first couple of days, you should contact your doctor.

A Moment of Discomfort Equals to Years of a Healthy Life

Did you know that 60% of the deaths that occur from colon cancer are preventable? At home stool tests rarely render trustable results. A colonoscopy screening with Digestive Disease Specialists, Inc. (Screen the City) can potentially save your life. A colonoscopy detects precancerous developments and identifies cancer at an early stage. Sign up for a colorectal screening now at our website. You can also call us at (405) 702-1300.

**Disclaimer: This blog content does not intend to offer a doctor’s advice and mentions no relationship between any patient and the care provider.