By Anish A. Sheth, MD
Want to prevent colon cancer? Get a colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy not only screens for existing cancer, but by identifying and removing precancerous polyps it can stop the disease before it starts.
The Direct Access Colonoscopy Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center’s Center for Digestive Health helps speed the scheduling of routine screening colonoscopies for patients who meet certain criteria.
Common and Preventable
Colorectal cancer, encompassing both colon and rectal cancers, is one of the most common — and preventable— cancers in the United States.
Colon cancer often develops from polyps, which are small growths on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Most polyps, also called adenomas, are benign and don’t usually cause symptoms.
However, over time, some can turn cancerous if not removed.
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 153,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, and more than 53,000 men and women will die from the disease.
And though deaths from colon cancer have been dropping among older adults, for several decades, the death rate for people under age 55 has been increasing by 1% annually since the mid-2000s.
Risk Factors
Doctors aren’t certain what causes colon cancer, but there are certain factors that can increase the risk. These include:
- Older age. The risk of developing colorectal cancer rises with age. Most cases are diagnosed in people over 50, although rates are increasing among younger adults.
- Family history. Having a close relative (parent, sibling, or child) with colorectal cancer increases your risk.
- Certain genetic conditions.
- Personal history of colorectal disease.
- Inflammatory bowel disease.
- Diabetes.
- Diet and lifestyle. A diet high in red and processed meats and low in fiber can increase your risk as can smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity.
The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals at average risk start colorectal cancer screenings at age 45. Those with a family history of the disease should talk with their physician to determine if they should begin screening earlier.
Additionally, anyone experiencing symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, cramping or unexplained weight loss should seek prompt medical care.
The Gold Standard
Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for detecting and preventing colon cancer.
During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist uses a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope equipped with a camera at the end to examine the inner lining of your large intestine (colon and rectum). If the doctor spots a polyp or a cancerous lesion, they can remove it immediately.
While other screening tests, such as stool-based tests as well as a blood test that was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, may be able to detect colon cancer, they are not able to effectively detect precancerous lesions.
Moreover, if one of these tests detects colon cancer, colonoscopy will be necessary for further evaluation and treatment.
In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) is making colonoscopies even more precise and effective.
Gastroenterologists at PMC’s Center for Digestive Health are using GI Genius, an FDA-approved AI system for colonoscopies. This system uses advanced algorithms to highlight potential polyps during the procedure, drawing attention to small or flat polyps that might otherwise be missed.
Direct Access
A screening colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure that generally takes only 15 or 20 minutes.
The Direct Access Screening Program at PMC’s Center for Digestive Health enables patients who meet the following criteria to schedule a procedure without first having an office visit with a gastroenterologist.
- Must be aged 45 or over
- If you have a family history of colon cancer, are 40 or older and have not been screened
- If you have no significant heart, lung, liver or kidney disease
- If you are not on blood-thinning medications other than routine aspirin use
- Must not have a history of stroke or blood clots
- Must not have active asthma
Individuals who do not meet these criteria, or those who have specific gastrointestinal complaints, should discuss colonoscopy with their primary care physicians or schedule an appointment to see a gastroenterologist prior to scheduling a colonoscopy.
If you’re 45 or older or have other risk factors, it’s time for a colonoscopy. By removing polyps before they ever have a chance to become cancerous, a colonoscopy can prevent cancer from ever developing.
To learn more about the Direct Access Colonoscopy Program at PMC’s Center for Digestive Health or to make an appointment, call (609)853-6390.
To find a gastroenterologist affiliated with Penn Medicine Princeton Health call 1 (888) 742-7496 or visit www.princetonhcs.org.
Anish Sheth, MD., is board certified in gastroenterology. He is Chief of Gastroenterology and Co-Medical Director of the Center for Digestive Health at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.
