Doug Purdy, MD, gastroenterologist with UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Gastroenterology, dispels common myths around colonoscopies and colon cancer.
Myth #1: Colonoscopies are painful
FACT: In general, colonoscopies are not painful. Patients are sedated for the procedure and kept comfortable. Most don’t remember any of it, and many are surprised by how easy it goes. In rare instances when patients do feel discomfort, it’s in the form of minor cramping, but this is uncommon. Additionally, for the past several years, we’ve been using carbon dioxide to inflate the colon, rather than air. This significantly reduces the number of patients who experience cramping or bloating after the procedure.
Myth #2: The prep is awful
FACT: While the prep is not the most pleasant experience, it’s not nearly as bad as people make it out to be and it’s a crucial step in having a successful colonoscopy. We do what we can to make it as easy as possible on patients. We use what’s called a split dose prep, which means the patient will take half the prep the evening before the procedure and half the morning of. This method means the patient can take a break from drinking the liquid and results in a more cleaned out colon, allowing us to better visualize polyps. While the prep isn’t the best tasting liquid you’ll ever drink, it sure beats going through colon cancer treatment, so it’s important to push through.
Myth #3: I’m not having symptoms, so I don’t need a colonoscopy
FACT: More than one third of people diagnosed with colon cancer have no symptoms at all. In a screening colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist can find colon polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer, and they can find colon cancers in an early stage before it’s started to cause symptoms. Colon cancer is often asymptomatic until later stages, so it’s important to get screened as soon as you are eligible, even if you’re not having symptoms.
Myth #4: I don’t have a family history of colon cancer, so I don’t need a colonoscopy
FACT: About 60 to 70% of colon cancers are what we call sporadic colon cancer, meaning the patient didn’t have a family history and their diagnosis is linked to something other than genetics. Many other factors can affect one’s colon cancer risk including environmental factors, diet and sedentary lifestyle. This is why scheduling a screening colonoscopy as soon as you are eligible is so important, regardless of family history.
Podcast Episode: Understanding Colon Cancer: What You Need to Know
Dr. Douglas Purdy, gastroenterologist at St. Luke’s Gastroenterology, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss colon cancer signs and symptoms, the importance of screening, how to reduce your risk and more.
Myth #5: Alternative screening methods, such as Cologuard, are just as effective as screening colonoscopy
FACT: Alternative screening methods – including stool tests like Cologuard and FIT, blood tests like Shield, and CT colonography – are not optimal for a couple reasons. First, they’re not as successful at detecting colon cancer. With screening colonoscopy, the physician performing the procedure is actually looking inside the colon, can visually identify any abnormalities, take biopsies, and remove polyps. Because alternative tests are not looking at the inner lining of the colon, there is a chance that colon cancer may not be detected. Second, these alternative screenings are not nearly as effective at detecting polyps and can’t remove them if found. Most of these tests have a 50% or lower polyp detection rate and have been known to miss even significant polyps that could turn into colon cancer within a few years. With screening colonoscopy, we visually identify polyps and remove them during the procedure – preventing them from ever turning into cancer.
Myth #6: Colon cancer is a disease of older people
FACT: While colon cancer used to be most commonly seen in people over 50, we’ve seen an increase in younger people being diagnosed – especially individuals in their 40s. The recommended screening age was lowered from 50 to 45 in 2021 because of this concerning trend. While the specific causes of this are unknown, there are some theories as to why this is happening. Changes in the gut microbiome, microplastics, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and higher consumption of things like high fructose corn syrup and ultra processed foods are thought to be possible contributors to the development of colon cancer in younger people.
Myth #7: Only men get colon cancer
FACT: Women have colons too, so this is false. Data shows a man’s lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is 1 in 23, whereas a woman’s is 1 in 25. So, while men are at slightly higher risk, the difference in risk is minimal.
Get Your Screening Colonoscopy
It’s recommended individuals start screening colonoscopies at age 45, or sooner if there’s a family history of colon cancer. To schedule your colonoscopy, talk to your primary care provider or visit uph.link/Gastroenterology-Screening-Form to request a screening colonoscopy today.
Experienced Colon Cancer Care
If you’ve been diagnosed with colon cancer, the Nassif Community Cancer is here for you. For more information about the Community Cancer Center and our extensive offering of support services, which are available to all cancer patients and survivors – regardless of when or where you were treated, call (319) 558-4876 or visit communitycancercenter.org.
