Approximately 50,000 people die of colon cancer every year. Yet, colon cancer can almost always be caught in its earliest and most curable stages by colonosocopy. Almost all men and women age 50 and older should have a colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy is almost always painless and most patients are asleep for the entire procedure. Taking laxatives and/or enemas before the test to clean out the colon isn't fun, but most people find this to be the worst part of the procedure. It may be embarrassing or awkward, but it is certainly better than having cancer.
Certain people may require colonoscopies before age 50. These include persons with a history of colon polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, and people with a first degree relative (mother, father, brother or sister) with colon cancer that developed before the age of 60.
Additionally, patients with personal or family history of other types of cancer may need to consider colon cancer screening at an earlier age.
Fecal Occult Blood Test, sigmoidoscopy, and barium enema are other screening tests that can be used for early detection and prevention of colon cancer, but colonoscopy remains the gold standard.
A new test, a virtual colonoscopy, uses CT scan technology to visualize the colon. There are several problems with this test, however. First, it is early in development and we still don't have enough information to determine how accurate it really is. Second, patients must take a preparation the night before to clean out the colon. Finally, if an abnormality is seen, the patient must still undergo a traditional colonoscopy.
Dietary and lifestyle modifications are important. Some evidence suggests that low-fat and high-fiber diets may reduce your risk of colon cancer. However, even patients who follow strict diets can develop this disease and require colonoscopy.
Some evidence suggests that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help prevent colon cancer, but again, screening is still necessary.
