Colon Cancer Screening Is Effective and Easier Than You Think

If you are embarrassed to talk with your physician about gastrointestinal problems or scared about having a colonoscopy, don't be. It may be an uncomfortable conversation, but it just might save your life. In the U.S., thousands of people die from colorectal (colon) cancer each year. But many of those deaths might have been prevented with the early detection provided by colonoscopy. People who have undergone a colonoscopy have often said that it was easier than they thought it would be -- and certainly worth it given the stakes.

Gastroenterologist Arun Khazanchi, MD, performs colonoscopies at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (LWRMC) to screen for gastrointestinal problems and colon cancer. "The majority of our patients do not have cancer. We do find precancerous polyps, and by removing them, we are helping prevent colon cancer and potentially saving lives," Dr. Khazanchi says.

Understanding Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a procedure that enables the visual examination of the lining of the colon. It is used for diagnosing and preventing colon cancer and polyps, which are growths protruding from the lining of the colon and are the precursors of colon cancer. Early detection is stressed for all cancers, but it is especially critical for colon cancer because removal of cancerous polyps can actually prevent colon cancer. Even if the polyp is cancerous, the sooner it is removed, the better the patient's chance of recovery.

The day before a colonoscopy, patients cleanse the colon using a preparation solution. The prep used today is much gentler than the traditional preparation. It is tasteless and can be mixed with any clear liquid.

The day of the procedure patients are given anesthesia. Then, a colonoscope, which is a long, flexible instrument approximately a centimeter in diameter, is inserted into the rectum and maneuvered through the colon. The colonoscope is connected to a camera and video display monitor that magnifies the colon and allows a gastroenterologist to see the wall of the entire colon, which is approximately six feet long. If a polyp is discovered, it can be removed during the colonoscopy.

Arun Khazanchi, MD Florida Digestive Specialists 8340 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Suite 101 Bradenton, FL 34202 941-361-1100

Once the polyp is removed, a pathologist will review it under a microscope to determine whether it is noncancerous or precancerous. Often when an early cancer is contained in the tip of the polyp, it can be removed with clear margins of healthy tissue, and the cancerous spot can be completely excised. It is then read by a pathologist. If the excision margin is adequate, patients are seen again within a year. If the cancer has progressed further below the excision margin, then that portion of the colon can be surgically resected, which can be accomplished laparoscopically. "Should we catch it soon enough, the patient may not require chemotherapy or radiation, but if it has moved beyond the wall of the colon, then chemo and radiation may be necessary," Dr. Khazanchi says.

Should YOU Have a Colonoscopy?
For patients with no risk factors for colon cancer or other gastrointestinal problems, the American Cancer Society recommends a first colonoscopy at age 50. However, if a member of your immediate family has had colon cancer, then you should be screened 10 years prior to their age when their cancer was diagnosed, or at the age of 40. Also, anyone with blood in the stool or a significant change in bowel habits should immediately schedule an appointment with a physician. Other risk factors include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Anyone diagnosed with breast cancer also is encouraged to undergo a colonoscopy screening.

Screening Saves Lives
If you are age 50 or greater or have a family history of colon cancer, don't wait. LWRMC offers flexible scheduling and a personal approach to patient care. To learn more, please call 941-782-2100.

206 Second Street East, Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-5111 FAX: 941-745-6862