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Colonoscopy screening is rst line of defense to
COUNTER CANCER
Colorectal cancer may not be on your short list of great con- versation topics. But in the end, discussing how to screen for the disease with your family doctor could be a lifesaving decision.
Testing can detect precancerous growths, or polyps, which doctors can re- move. And testing can detect cancer before any of its symptoms emerge.
Among cancers that a ect both men and women, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.
“Colon cancer screening with colo- noscopy is a safe, mostly painless, and potentially lifesaving procedure that should be performed on any person age 50 or older, regardless of whether or
not they have symptoms or problems,” said Dan Stewart, MD, a board-certi ed general surgeon with Franciscan Physi- cian Network who does colonoscopies in Crawfordsville.
“ is should be done at a younger age if there is a signi cant family history of colon polyps or cancer in the family especially rst degree relatives.”
Colonoscopies usually are not painful. Sedation is o en given to make patients more comfortable during the procedure. A gastroenterologist, a physician who spe- cializes in diagnosing and treating prob- lems of the digestive system, or a specially trained colorectal surgeon should perform the tests.
Recent news reports have highlighted in-home stool testing kits that can be mailed to a lab for results. Many medical experts describe these as “second-line rec- ommendation” to be used only for those
who absolutely will not or cannot have a colonoscopy.
Dr. Stewart added that screening in any fashion is important, but emphasized that colonoscopy is the preferred method of screening.
Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it. But this disease is highly preventable, by get- ting screened beginning at age 50.
“Tens of thousands of lives could be saved each year if every American were tested as recommended,” Dr. Stewart said.
To schedule an appointment or more in- formation about requesting a colonoscopy, go to FranciscanHealth.org/GetAColonos- copy, or call your primary care physician to get a referral to Franciscan Physician Network Surgical Specialists. Franciscan Physician Network Surgical Specialists o ce number is (765) 361-3011.
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