Prevent Colon Cancer with Colonoscopy
Center : Gastrointestinal and Liver Center
Colon cancer is a disease in which normal cells in the colon divide and increase in numbers until it becomes uncontrollable. The early stage of illness may be just a normal intestinal lump or polyp, but if the patient ignores it and does not get treatment; the cells may spread and become cancerous. Colonoscopy therefore, is a proactive approach to colon cancer prevention that can reduce the rate of loss from illness.
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What is Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a screening procedure for colorectal cancer and helps treat noncancerous tumors growing in the colon wall by using a small, highly flexible camera about the thickness of a finger. The device used for the exam is called a "colonoscope" to view the images and then upload them to a monitor for a doctor to analyze and make an accurate diagnosis. In this context, abnormal biopsies can be taken and sent for examination and small polyps can be removed.
What Can a Colonoscopy Detect?
- There are disorders related to defecation, such as chronic constipation or diarrhea.
- Blood in the stool, it could be bright red or dark with an unusual bad smell
- When defecating there are bleeding and protruding polyps from the anus.
- Abdominal cramps, bloating and abdominal pain
- A lump in the stomach, weight loss, pale, fatigue.
- People over 45 years old should have a rectal exam every 3-5 years.
Types of Colonoscopies
Screening Colonoscopy
Colorectal cancer is a disease for which there is no definite cause yet. However, there are some factors that increase the risk of developing this type of cancer. Firstly, changing of life behavior and food consumption; such as eating too much Western foods that contain a lot of sweetness and fat, and eating too few fruits and vegetables. Secondly, inappropriate environments that many people are facing nowadays; such as stressful environment, and having too little rest. Another factor that increases the risk of developing this type of cancer is genetics.
Colonoscopy is the most effective way to screen and detect colorectal cancer. It can also isolate tumors that are about to become cancerous. It is recommended to start screening for men and women at age 45, as they are the group at greatest risk for colon disease.
Diagnostic Colonoscopy
Symptoms of colon cancer usually include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, pale skin, fatigue, constipation and alternating diarrhea; or having complications such as intestinal obstruction, intestinal rupture, etc. may occur. Colon cancer usually starts with a small polyp before it gradually develops into colon cancer around 5-10 years. In the early stage, most of the patients often have no symptom. The cancer is mostly discovered when it is already big and spread. Colonoscopy can determine the cause of these abnormalities.
What to Expect After the Colonoscopy?
Normal Result
If no abnormalities or polyps are found in the colon, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy every 3 to 5 years to check if the colon is still normal.
If an abnormality is detected
If there are abnormalities or polyps, the physician must perform an additional examination by inserting a small instrument through a colonoscope to take a biopsy for diagnosis. The biopsy is just a small piece of epithelium, which is just enough for diagnosis. When polyps are discovered, normally most polyps are not cancerous. Polyps can vary in size, shape and type. The doctor will remove all polyps to prevent colon cancer. The polyp is then re-examined to confirm the diagnosis by pathology.
FAQ Related to Colonoscopy
How long does a colonoscopy take?
Normally, a colonoscopy procedure takes no more than 45 minutes. If including preparation time, examination and leaving the room to recover all in all, it takes only 2-3 hours.
What can I eat before a colonoscopy?
In order to regulate the function of the colon, the person undergoing colonoscopy must eat a low-digestion diet such as porridge, fish porridge, milk, etc. for 3 days before the colonoscopy and avoid high- fiber foods such as vegetables and fruits.
What to eat after colonoscopy?
Patient will be able to eat normally.
Is a colonoscopy a surgery?
NO. Colonoscopy is used to detect abnormalities in the colon. It is performed with a small, highly flexible camera about the thickness of a finger. It looks like a tube that is inserted through the anus into the rectum and examines the entire colon, which is fitted with a lens and then transferred to the screen so that the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis
Is colonoscopy painful?
After colonoscopy, you may experience bloating, indigestion that comes from the wind during the colonoscopy; theses can subside within 24 hours or less. Stool may contain some blood as a biopsy is taken. If you experience abnormal symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, abnormal bleeding, you should see a doctor.
Colonoscopy Conclusion
Colonoscopy is important in colon cancer screening and detection. Doctors recommend that people at risk of colorectal cancer due to a family history of colorectal cancer should undergo colonoscopy starting at age 45 without waiting for symptoms, as they are considered to be at higher risk than normal people.
Why must come to Nakornthon?
At Nakornthon Hospital, we committed to distinction in preventing, diagnosing and treating wide range of illnesses related to the gastrointestinal tract. With therapeutic technology and standardize equipment, our physician and well-trained expertise are here to provide personalized care at all time. Gastrointestinal and Liver Center, Nakornthon Hospital can provide one stop service aside with many facilities such as endoscope service, bowel preparation room, recovery room. With personalized care, we try our best effort to keep our patient safety as priority. The diagnosis and treatment have performed to minimize the risk factors for complication and reduce the length of hospital stays.
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