Colonoscopy Prep Improves As Colorectal Cancer Rates Rise Among Young Adults

The incidence of colon cancer is on the rise among younger people. The American Cancer Society published a recent study about colorectal cancer rates among people under 50. The study reports an anticipated increase of nine percent in just three years.

John Frankel, MD, a colon and rectal surgeon with The Christ Hospital Physicians–Colon & Rectal Surgery, says he's seen the increase firsthand.

“We're still not sure what's causing the rise in cases," Dr. Frankel says. “It could be environmental. It could be that we're screening more people."

Regardless, Dr. Frankel says, it's important to know that colon cancer is one of the few cancers that are preventable entirely with available screening options—specifically, routine colonoscopy.

He says knowing when you are due for a colonoscopy and how screening prep has improved is vital.

Colonoscopy 101

A colonoscopy is a procedure doctors use to look for signs of cancer in the colon (large intestine).

During a colonoscopy, you are sedated, and your doctor inserts a flexible colonoscope tube into your rectum. The colonoscope has a camera and light. Doctors move the colonoscope through your rectum and colon, watching on a video screen for problem areas or polyps.

A polyp is a small clump of cells. Most polyps are benign, but if left to grow, they can develop into colon cancer.

A colonoscopy is more than a cancer diagnostic tool. Doctors also use this procedure to prevent cancer. That's because, during a colonoscopy, doctors can remove polyps found during the procedure. This prevents polyps from developing into cancerous tumors.

“Colonoscopy technology has come a long way," Dr. Frankel says. “Colonoscope cameras are now high-definition (HD), and our screens are very high 4K resolution. This helps us to identify smaller polyps so that we can detect cancer at earlier stages."

Don't dread the prep

If you're putting off your colonoscopy because of the prep, there's good news. For most patients, gone are the days of chugging gallons of a bitter-tasting solution in one sitting.

More modern colonoscopy preps come in smaller volumes. There are also preps available in tablet form, and some preps can be mixed with flavored beverages.

“I can't lie," Dr. Frankel says. “The prep is certainly the worst part of a colonoscopy. But there have been major improvements. And this screening is so important that you shouldn't let the prep stand in your way."

When and how often should I get a colonoscopy?

The American Cancer Society recommends that most people have their first colonoscopy at age 45.

Based on your colonoscopy results, your doctor will outline the best screening plan for you. Most people will need to be screened every five to 10 years.

If you have a family or personal history of colon cancer, your doctor may suggest you be screened more often or start screening at an earlier age.

Dr. Frankel says there are other reasons why you may need a colonoscopy outside of the standard screening recommendations. These include:

Bowel habit changes—If you notice changes to your bowel movements, like unexplained constipation or diarrhea, your doctor may suggest a colonoscopy.
Rectal bleeding—Finding blood on your toilet paper isn't uncommon for many people. However, new or increased rectal bleeding may be a cause for concern.

At-home colon cancer testing

There are at-home colon cancer testing options for people looking for an alternative to traditional colonoscopy. These tests require you to submit stool samples. Labs then test these samples for blood or other signs of cancer.

Still, Dr. Frankel says, nothing compares to colonoscopy and its diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. That's because colonoscopies find precancerous polyps that at-home tests don't always detect. And doctors can remove these polyps during a colonoscopy procedure.

If you want to try an at-home test, you should talk with your doctor first. They can recommend a test that looks for blood in the stool and tests for DNA specific to cancer.

It's important to remember that at-home tests must be repeated according to the manufacturer's recommendations. And these tests don't always eliminate the need for a colonoscopy.

“If results from your at-home test suggest a problem, you'll still need a colonoscopy," Dr. Frankel says.

Take control of your colon health

By staying proactive and following recommended screening guidelines, you can take control of your colon health and reduce your risk of developing colon cancer.

Contact The Christ Hospital Physicians–Colon & Rectal Surgery to learn more about colon cancer prevention and treatment. You can schedule an appointment by calling 513.585.2888.

John Frankel, MD, is a fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon with The Christ Hospital Physicians – Colon & Rectal Surgery. He specializes in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery for a wide range of complex colorectal conditions including complex colorectal conditions including colon cancer, rectal cancer, anal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease, complex anorectal disease, and pelvic floor disorders.

Colonoscopy Prep Improves As Colorectal Cancer Rates Rise Among Young Adults With John Frankel, MD, The Christ Hospial Physicians - Colon & Rectal Surgery Putting off your colonoscopy because of fears of the “prep”? Times have changed! Dr. John Frankel shares new options to get ready for the screening and concerning statistics about colorectal cancer in people under age 50.