By Dr. Matthew Swain, Principal Medical Specialist
Perhaps the thought of colorectal cancer screening strikes fear in your heart. Allow me to dispel such fear by assuring you that not only is it a straightforward and pain-free procedure, but it is also a lifesaver for a significant number of people annually.
“Colorectal” encompasses the lower portion of your digestive track– the colon and rectum. Colorectal screening is a indispensable tool in early cancer detection before elevating to a dire state. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests that people of medium risk undertake this screening when they attain 45 years.
You may wonder why this screening holds such paramount importance? Colorectal cancer is insidious– often growing undetected. Shockingly, this cancer has been increasingly diagnosed in individuals below 50 years of age. Colorectal cancer was reported to affect an alarming 1,388,422 individuals in the U.S. alone in 2020, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Catch it early, and you have better odds of defeating it. You see, if screening is evaded, the severity of symptoms, like incessant rectal bleeding, could escalate before you decide to seek medical intervention which could result in debilitating consequences.
Let’s delve into the two common screening modes: stool-based tests and colonoscopies. The former– including guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) and Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), which both target the detection of blood in stool– are performed by analyzing a patient’s stool sample in a lab. Colonoscopies, hailed as the gold standard for colorectal screening, involve a doctor inserting a flexible camera into the patient’s rectum under anesthesia. This permits a direct vision of the patient’s colon and rectum.
Do not shirk away from screening fearing its complexity. If a colonoscopy intimidates you, a stool-based test could be your alternative. Yet, I strongly recommend the former, given the latter’s sensitivity and specificity shortcomings.
Beware of past colonoscopy horror stories. Today, the process is far more tolerable. Prepare for the procedure by consuming an electrolyte solution infused with a laxative. The following morning, the colonoscopy occurs at a hospital, or an outpatient surgery center. You’ll receive anesthesia and upon awakening, the ordeal ends. There should be no discomfort, with your recovery time typically standing at 2-3 hours post procedure.
Reach out to your healthcare provider to arrange a screening. If you lack one, consult a Federally Qualified Health Center. If you present an elevated risk of developing colorectal cancer, inquire about your screening schedule. Active lifestyle, a diet rich in water, fruits, vegetables, and fiber are recommended preventative measures alongside the screenings, regardless of your gender.
Living a fit lifestyle never negate the risk of colorectal cancer entirely. It’s crucial to remember that regular screening increases your odds of positive outcomes. Most patients concur post colonoscopy: “It wasn’t as daunting as I assumed.”
Dr. Matt Swain serves as Chief Medical Officer at MCHC Health Centers – a local, non-profit, federally supported health center offering medical, dental, and behavioral health care to people in Lake and Mendocino Counties.
