One Test That Can Save Your Life

Few people realize that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in North America. And, tragically, by the time it’s diagnosed, the malignancy has spread to other organs in 55 per cent of the cases. This doesn’t have to happen.

About 95 per cent of colon cancers begin in existing polyps. If the polyps are removed, you won’t have to die from this malignancy. These soft, fleshy growths originate on the inside lining of the bowel. It’s estimated that one person in three over the age of 50 has one or more polyps. Fortunately, they don’t always become cancerous, but studies show that after 10 years, 10 per cent become malignant and after 20 years, the rate rises to 25 per cent.

So what’s the best approach for preventing colon cancer?

Under ideal circumstances, everyone over the age of 40 should have an initial colonoscopy. This procedure examines the entire large bowel by means of an optical instrument. If polyps are present, they’re removed at that time. The problem is there are not enough trained doctors to do the test on everyone over the age of 40.

If you’re lucky and live in an area where colonoscopy is available, don’t refuse it, particularly if you have a family history of colon cancer.

And never, never ignore rectal bleeding. Graveyards are full of people who thought the bleeding was due to hemorrhoids. A change in bowel habits, such as increasing incidents of constipation or diarrhea, also require a prompt visit to your doctor.

Is the process that painful?

The major challenge is getting some patients to agree to colonoscopy. They’ve usually heard stories that the process is painful. But the pain is easily tolerated with the use of mild sedation. Besides, isn’t a little temporary discomfort better than months of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to treat malignancy?

In fact, once the procedure is over, most people say, “I’d rather have the colonoscopy than the required preparation.” (Laxatives have to be taken the night before the test, along with copious amounts of water, to ensure the bowel is clean enough for polyps to be revealed.)

What about the risk involved in the procedure? Once in every 4,000 procedures, the bowel is damaged and requires follow-up surgery to repair it. But the risk of this complication is much less than the danger of failing to remove a pre-malignant polyp.

Other methods not as accurate

Other methods can detect polyps if colonoscopy is not available. The lower bowel can be examined with a sigmoidoscope. Barium enemas have also been used for years, but they are not as accurate as colonscopy or sigmoidoscopy, and this method exposes patients to radiation during the testing.

Another test, one that determines fecal occult blood, is cheap and painless. A small amount of stool is placed on filter paper which changes colour if blood is present. But this test is not accurate and often gives false positive results if a patient is taking iron, laxatives or using non-steroidal inflammatory drugs.

What about prevention of colon malignancy? Large population studies suggest that diets high in fiber, calcium and antioxidant vitamins B, C, and E, folic acid, as well as physical activity decrease the risk of this cancer.

What is particularly exciting is the use of Aspirin. Research at Harvard University shows that taking Aspirin twice a week may reduce the risk of colon cancer by an astonishing 50 per cent.

This story reprinted with permission from 50Plus magazine. © December 2002 CARPNews 50Plus.

TweetEmailPrint