Do Your Dinner Parties Include a Colonoscopy?

Something really exciting happened to me recently at a social event. I was at a dinner party and during a lull in the conversation; one man asked from across the table, “Hey, when should I get my colonoscopy?” Now, this happens all the time when I am alone once people find out what I do for a living; but to hear it openly asked during dinner with friends was incredible! Colon Cancer Awareness Month is coming up in March and thanks to people like Katie Couric and Ozzy Osborne, open discussions like this are more common and will save lives. I thought I would write briefly about who should get a colonoscopy and when to get it.

First question: Why would I want to get a colonoscopy?

The simple reason is that colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., in both men and women. You always hear about, “finding a cure to cancer,” and we actually do have the “cure” to the second leading cause of cancer death! The key is, although colon cancer is very serious, it is highly preventable. The reason it is preventable is that almost all colon cancer starts out as small colon polyps. During a colonoscopy, we can easily and safely remove the polyps before they grow.

Second question: When should I get my first colonoscopy?

The term colon cancer screening or screening colonoscopy refers to people who don’t have any “alarm” symptoms, but fit into these screening categories:
–   Anyone age 50 or older
–   Anyone age 40 or older, if a first degree relative has had a
polyp or cancer
–   10 years prior to the age of a first degree relative who had a
polyp or cancer
–   People with others cancers in the family may need earlier
colonoscopy as well

Anyone with “alarm” symptoms should get a colonoscopy, regardless of age or family history. Alarm symptoms include, but are not limited to:
•   Change in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation)
•   Red or dark blood in stools
•   Weight loss
•   Fatigue or weakness
•   Abdominal pain, cramps, or gas
•   Bloating
•   Change in stool caliber

If any of those criteria or issues applies to you, please contact my office through the appointment page. If you don’t have serious health conditions, my scheduler Araseli, will be able to arrange for the colonoscopy as “open access” colonoscopy. This means you only have to schedule the colonoscopy visit and do not have to come in for an office visit prior to the procedure.

Disclaimer: The information presented on this website is not intended to take the place of your personal physician’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Discuss this information with your healthcare provider to determine what is right for you. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical condition

About the Author: Kenneth Brown, M.D.

Kenneth Brown, MD is a board-certified gastroenterologist in Plano, TX. He has a special focus on IBS-related symptoms and bridging the gap between traditional and functional medicine. Dr. Brown received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1998 and completed his Fellowship in Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in 2004. In addition to his gastroenterology practice, Dr. Brown is the chief medical officer for KBS Research and created the KBMD Health platform to help others better understand health-related topics & solutions. He holds a U.S. patent for the development of a natural bloating supplement called Atrantil. A member of the Digestive Health Associates of Texas and the American College of Gastroenterology. All patient appointment requests and media inquiries can be made by calling the practice at 972-867-0019.

3 Comments

T Jones. July 30, 2013 at 1:30 am

I wish everyone could read this and take action to schedule their colonoscopy as soon as possible. A friend of mine recently passed from colon cancer at the age of 52 so I witnessed the pain and suffering of this disease. A colonoscopy is a minor price to pay for ridding yourself of any polyps which could lead to colon cancer. Please take action and schedule your colonoscopy today!!
Abby July 30, 2013 at 1:31 am

I LOVE this!!! I myself work in this field, and also as soon as people find out what field I work in, am asked these questions. I have been asked in places such as the steam room, a waitress at a resturant, even my friends from Facebook!I think that it is very important to have this done, and that people are educated in this subject so it doesn’t seem “scary” and are able to see how vital this procedure can be! If there are more articles like this, it will be esay to search, and the people who are kind of shy on this subject have a safe place to get realiable answers they can understand and trust! Keep up the great work!!
Fred July 30, 2013 at 1:31 am

I am 39 years old, my wife made me get a colonoscopy because of my family history. I thought, I’m not 50, I won’t have anything!! I was wrong, I had 6 polyps!!! WOW!!! I would have never thought, in a million years, that at the age of 39 i would have so many polyps. I strongly advise that anyone with family history of any cancer get a colonoscopy!!! Seeing my uncle on chemo therapy, not knowing what the outcome will be….. I don’t want that to happen to me or let my family suffer for something that can be prevented!!! Thank you to Dr. Brown and all the gastroenterologist for stopping something so deadly. Colon cancer can be prevented, why not have a colonoscopy and rule it out!!

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Keeping Your Gut in Check

Do Your Dinner Parties Include a Colonoscopy?