Colonoscopy: It Really Can't Wait

5 Reasons you shouldn’t put off scheduling a colonoscopy

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in the United States and the second deadliest after lung cancer. The good news is that with proper screening, it's also one of the most preventable. That's where colonoscopies come in.

One of the most successful preventive and early detection tests for cancer available, colonoscopies are so effective at saving lives and reducing the cost of health care that insurance companies are now mandated to cover it.

If the lack of expense isn’t motivation enough, here are five other reasons you shouldn't put off your colonoscopy:

1. Early detection saves lives
   Colonoscopies can detect cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. Even more importantly, they can find and remove precancerous polyps before they ever turn into cancer. This makes a colonoscopy not just a screening test, but a powerful prevention tool.

2. It's recommended earlier than you might think
   The American Cancer Society now recommends that people at average risk start colorectal cancer screening at age 45. If you have a family history or other risk factors, you may need to start even earlier. Don't wait until you have symptoms—by then, cancer may be more advanced.

3. It's not as bad as you fear
   Many people dread the preparation more than the procedure itself. While the prep isn't fun, it's manageable and has improved over the years. The procedure itself is usually quick—typically 15 to 60 minutes—and you'll be sedated, so you won't feel or remember much.

4. It's safe and effective
   Colonoscopy is generally very safe. Serious complications like perforation or bleeding are rare. And it's incredibly effective at finding cancer and precancerous lesions.

5. You may not need it as often as you think
   Recent research suggests that for people at average risk who have a negative first colonoscopy, it may be safe to wait up to 15 years for a repeat screening. This means that one colonoscopy could provide protection for many years.

While it's tempting to put off your colonoscopy, the benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort. If you're due for a colonoscopy, don't wait. Talk to your doctor about scheduling one today.  

David Furman, MD,  is a gastroenterologist with SVMC Gastroenterology at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.