While many probably dread the thought of undergoing a colonoscopy, you might be surprised to learn that most people find the prep for the procedure to be much worse than the test itself.
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, according to Henry Ford Health. And recent studies show colon cancer is on the rise among young adults.
For those reasons, the American Cancer Society now recommends anyone with an average risk of colon cancer to get colonoscopy screening at the age of 45. This is five years earlier than the previous recommended age of 50.
“Most people who have polyps, and even those who have colon cancer, don’t experience any symptoms,” said Dr. Edwin Itenberg, a colon and rectal surgeon at Henry Ford Health.
A colonoscopy is an opportunity for a doctor to detect cancer earlier, in a more treatable stage. During a screening, doctors can remove polyps, which can prevent colorectal cancer from developing. And, if detected early, colon cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer.
The key to a doctor having visibility during a colonoscopy is for the patient to have a clean colon. The prep for the screening has two parts: diet and strong laxatives.
According to Henry Ford Health, if you follow these five steps, you will sail through the process:
- Follow instructions. The instructions you receive from your doctor ahead of the colonoscopy are to clean out your digestive tract so that your doctor may easily see polyps and abnormalities. If you don’t understand any of the instructions, contact your doctor.
- Stock your bathroom. In addition to the physician-prescribed laxative, grab some other items that will help during the process: medicated wipes with aloe and vitamin E, and skin-soothing moisturizer. Applying hemorrhoid cream or diaper rash ahead of the prep can also help to protect your skin.
- Drink clear fluids. In the day before your procedure, you must stick to a clear liquid diet. This can include things like apple juice, popsicles, broth, Jell-O and clear soft drinks. Drinking plenty of fluids will help you to stay hydrated. You’ll want to avoid anything with red, blue or purple dye.
- Watch your diet. There will be certain things you’ll have to avoid ingesting in the few days ahead of your procedure: whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts and meat. You’ll opt for things like bread and potatoes, rice, pasta and canned fruits or vegetables.
- Make your prep drink more enjoyable. Because many patients find the prep drink to tolerate, Henry Ford doctors also recommend finding ways to make it more palatable. That might mean drinking it through a straw, have flavored candies to suck on immediately after each glass, or keep it ice cold. You can also add powdered drink mix for flavor, but remember to avoid any that are red, blue or purple.
“In general, colonoscopies are safe and well tolerated,” Itenberg said. “Most people don’t even remember the procedure. And after it’s over, we can tell you if there were any polyps or signs of cancer and when your next scope will be due.”
Doctors say anyone who has a family history of colon cancer, have benign polyps or other risk factors like inflammatory bowel disease should discuss with their doctor when they should begin screenings. In some cases, when there is a family history, doctors may recommend a colonoscopy as early as age 21.
Also, doctors say it’s important to pay attention to any changes in bowel habits, especially rectal bleeding.
“People tend to self-diagnose all rectal bleeding as hemorrhoids, but that’s not always the case,” Itenberg said. “It’s better to get checked out. Not only will you gain peace of mind, but you can wait five to 10 years before your next colonoscopy screening.”
Because the most difficult part for many can be making the appointment, Itenberg said the key is to stay on schedule in terms of when you’re supposed to be screened.
“On prep day, you’ll need to be close to a bathroom,” he said. “On test day, you will be sedated and will need time for the medication to wear off.”
To learn more about colorectal cancer screening, visit HenryFord.com.