Did you know having a colonoscopy could save your life from cancer? Avoid the unknown and find out why colonoscopies are important in this guide!
by Atomic Mommy Editors
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Cancer sucks and we all know it! But something else can suck too, and that’s not knowing if or when you have cancer. The importance of being checked for cancer is extremely underrated, even in young adults and teens. A report released by the American Cancer Society revealed that in people younger than 55, colorectal cases jumped from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019.
While the factors of why this occurred do vary, it’s pretty clear that colon cancer needs to be watched out for by everyone. That’s where a colonoscopy comes into play!
A colonoscopy is a test that looks for signs of cancer or precancer in your bowel. These tests save lives. Before the exam, you will need to follow a special diet. It is called bowel prep and can include drinking clear liquids only, such as water, coffee, or tea.
What is a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that enables your doctor to see inside your large intestine (colon) and the lining of your rectum. The test finds potential problems, such as polyps and cancer.
The treatment will be carried out while the Gastroenterology Of The Rockies surgeon inserts a flexible tube with a tiny camera and light into your colon and rectum. It enables the physician to examine your gut walls’ interior and remove abnormal tissue.
Your doctor may also take a sample of your bowel tissue for testing. Your doctor will tell you when the results are available and whether further tests are necessary.
Your doctor may use sedation during the procedure to make it more comfortable. You may be able to talk and respond to questions or fall asleep during the process.
Why Do We Need Colonoscopies?
Your large intestine also called your colon, is a significant part of your digestive system that helps your body process food and waste. It also protects you from diseases, including colorectal cancer.
Colonoscopies are screening methods that detect polyps (small growths) and cancer before they cause symptoms or lead to other problems. They can also identify inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, so that these conditions can be treated early.
A colonoscopy is a test that enables your doctor to inspect the interior of your large intestine and rectum using a unique instrument called a colonoscope. Its tube, about the width of a fingertip, has a video camera and light at its tip.
Your doctor inserts the colonoscope into your anus and then slowly advances it into the rectum and colon. Various instruments can be passed through the colonoscope to biopsy (sample) or remove suspicious-looking areas, such as polyps.
How Does a Colonoscopy Work?
A colonoscopy is a test that looks at the inside of your large intestine (colon, rectum, and anus). This procedure uses a tube with a light and camera on one end.
Your doctor passes this tube into your rectum and then into your colon, looking at your insides. If they find anything they think is abnormal, they can remove it for a biopsy.
They may also use this tool to look at the outside of your colon and rectum. They can look for cancer, other gastrointestinal problems, and conditions like colitis or inflammatory bowel disease.
The doctor blows air through the colonoscope to inflate it and get a better view of your insides. It can make you feel a little gas pain or pressure.
Your doctor gives you a sedative to help keep you comfortable and drowsy. You can’t drive home after the procedure, so arranging for someone to pick you up is essential.
What Can I Expect from a Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopies are a relatively safe and effective way to examine the lining of your colon for signs of cancer, polyps, and other conditions. They also help to identify sites of bleeding.
Your doctor will insert a thin, flexible colonoscope tube into your abdomen and slowly advance it into your rectum and colon. The scope can fit small tools that enable your doctor to remove polyps and administer medication.
You may feel some pressure, bloating, and cramping during the procedure. However, the sedatives used during the colonoscopy are designed to keep you relaxed and comfortable.
Before the test, you will need to go through a bowel prep. It involves drinking clear liquids the day before and consuming a cleansing solution or oral laxatives.
In Conclusion
Getting a colonoscopy is nothing to procrastinate about . Ask your doctor to help you get checked, even if there is not a history of colon cancer in your family. After all, prevention is better than treatment!