Why Getting a Routine Colonoscopy Could Save Your Life

We carry out a number of activities each day to help maintain our health, like brushing our teeth, eating our vegetables, and exercising. But there’s one thing that frequently gets overlooked that could truly protect our lives — a colonoscopy. This essential exam can discover and help inhibit cancer, inflammatory bowel issues, and additional ailments. At Colorado Gastroenterology, we advise getting a colorectal cancer screening every ten years unless recommended otherwise. Our board-certified gastrointestinal (GI) doctors routinely perform colonoscopies for Denver, CO patients.

Why undergo a colonoscopy procedure?

A colonoscopy is an exam of the large intestine and rectum that is carried out to detect variations and/or polyps (growths) that could be or turn malignant. To perform this 30 to 60-minute exam, a gastrointestinal physician will insert a tube with a video camera into the bowels to look for any signs of colon and rectal cancer or different problems. Colonoscopies are often advised as a method to:

• Detect the reason for intestinal distress, blood in the stool, persistent diarrhea or constipation, or other concerns
• Check for signs of colorectal cancer
• Screen for polyps (tissue growths that can turn cancerous if left untreated)

At Colorado Gastroenterology, we typically suggest that you see a colonoscopy specialist at age 45 and return every decade for regular screening exams. However, based on your screening outcomes or if you have a family history of colon cancer, we may suggest you get examined at an earlier age and more regularly.

Can I just use a home colorectal cancer kit?

Many men and women today speculate as to the reason a colonoscopy is required when there are progressions in at-home kits. The simple answer is our gastrointestinal specialists can get a more complete picture of any unusual or precancerous concerns than what's obtainable with a home-based stool sample test kit. While some adults choose to employ these at-home exams, they in no way should take the place of a colonoscopy exam.

An at-home kit, for example, would not locate any polyps that have developed in the large intestine. They may show particular signs of cancer, but the reality is a colonoscopy can detect indicators of cancer much sooner and more accurately than an at-home kit. Home tests are also not able to detect inflammatory bowel conditions.

What makes colonoscopies significant?

We understand that colonoscopies can feel invasive. Nevertheless, the lifesaving effects of this test can significantly outweigh the momentary awkwardness it may cause. It’s significant to emphasize how important these tests can be, especially for men and women who possess a family history of colon cancer. The majority of patients with colorectal cancer have no signs in the course of the initial phases and may not even know they have the illness.

Several reasons you may consider making an appointment for a colonoscopy are:

• The beforehand preparation for a colonoscopy is not awful, despite popular opinion.
• Though you might feel embarrassed, your gastroenterologist will not.
• Colonoscopies are fast and generally pain-free.
• Overall, a colonoscopy may save your life.
• This is the most precise way to screen for colon and rectal cancer.

Furthermore, a colonoscopy can discover much more than cancer. It can also confirm inflammatory intestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's, as well as diverticulosis. Similar to colorectal cancer, when discovered early, these conditions can be addressed and further damage commonly can be avoided.

Make an appointment for a colonoscopy in Denver, CO today

Even if you might feel like there’s no need for a colonoscopy, this screening can protect your life. A colonoscopy can discover early signals of colorectal cancer, and it can additionally detect Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis, and other illnesses. This routine test could be the critical component between life and death, as our Denver, CO gastrointestinal doctors are professionally trained to search for early signs of cancer and other issues that may hinder cancer in the future. For more information about colonoscopies at Colorado Gastroenterology, contact our experienced GI team today.