Colonoscopy: Debunking myths about this life saving procedure Colorectal cancer snags one of the top three spots among the many types of can...
Colonoscopy: Debunking myths about this life saving procedure
Colorectal cancer snags one of the top three spots among the many types of cancer that affect both males and females in Singapore according to the latest statistics from the National Cancer Centre Singapore. With regular screening, the prevalence of colorectal cancer may be minimised as the survival rate for this disease is significantly higher during its early stage. However, one may be intimidated to visit a colonoscopy clinic in Singapore due to myths that they may have heard about undergoing a colonoscopy procedure. If you are that person, then this article is for you. Read on.
Debunking myths about colonoscopy
Myth 1: “Colonoscopy is recommended only for older adults”
When talking about health screenings, colonoscopy is a procedure that many people perceive should be done once they are in their 50s. This thinking has led a lot of individuals to delay getting screened, which increases their risk of developing colorectal cancer.
The Truth: The Appropriate Age for Colonoscopy is 45
Due to the increasing occurrence of colorectal cancer in recent years, especially among younger adults, the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening is now at 45 years old. For individuals who have the disease in their family or may be diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, it is strongly advised that they undergo screening once they have reached the age of 25. Early detection of colorectal cancer symptoms allows you to treat it before it becomes a full blown disease, which can be more problematic when discovered when you are much older.
Myth 2: “Colonoscopy is excruciating”
Because the procedure is invasive and involves having a medical device inserted into the body, many people think that the procedure is extremely painful.
The Truth: Colonoscopy is done under sedation and discomfort is minimal.
To lessen the discomfort or pain during the procedure, a sedative is used during a colonoscopy procedure. Depending on your doctor’s approach or your preference, the level of sedation can differ. You can either be in deep sleep or still conscious, but drowsy during the procedure.
A colonoscopy procedure is performed by inserting a colonoscopy, which is a long thin flexible tube with a camera at one end, into the rectum and gently manoeuvred through the colon. To ensure that the colonoscope captures a clear view of the internal organs, air is pumped into the colon as the tube is guided through the bowels. This may temporarily cause bloating or minor cramping, but it should neither be painful nor long lasting.
Myth 3: “Colonoscopy is not needed when you are generally healthy”
As with other types of health screenings, some people put them off as long as they feel that their body is healthy. This thinking is one of the many causes why diseases that are asymptomatic thrive and are discovered only when they are already at a serious stage.
The Fact: Cancer can develop even when you feel like your health is at its best.
Not feeling any symptoms does not mean you are free from any kind of disease. With colorectal cancer, the signs may not arise during its onset and only appear overtime–often when it has already progressed into a severe phase. Precancerous polyps can grow in the colon without causing any pain or problem and the only way to know their existence is through colonoscopy. This is why regular screening is recommended even when you are healthy and most especially when your risk of developing this type of disease is high.
Myth 4: “Preparing for a colonoscopy is stressful”
Preparing for a colonoscopy involves drinking bowel-cleansing medication and fasting prior to your scheduled procedure. This step often makes people hesitant to undergo the procedure because they dread the combination of feeling hungry and taking several trips to the toilet.
The Truth: The prep process is actually tolerable.
Many people who have completed a colonoscopy procedure are surprised that the preparation is not as bad as they initially thought it would be. Preparing for your colonoscopy is crucial for the success of your procedure as your colon should be clean all throughout, so that the colonoscope can pass through the intestines smoothly and provide clear images for your doctor to assess. This will be totally impossible if there are obstructions in the colon.
To prepare for the procedure, your healthcare provider will give you instructions to follow a special diet that should be done 24 hours prior to your colonoscopy. In addition, you will be asked to consume a huge amount of laxative to induce diarrhoea. Preparing for colonoscopy can be daunting, but learning and understanding its importance can make this step more manageable.
Myth 5: “Symptoms detected by colonoscopy are fatal”
Some people think that finding symptoms through colonoscopy is equivalent to a cancer diagnosis. Hence, they would skip getting screened and practise the saying, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.”
The Truth: With colonoscopy, what you know can save your life.
Abnormalities detected through a colonoscopy procedure does not automatically mean that you have cancer. A polyp may either be benign or malignant. If a polyp is found to be an onset of cancer, this can be removed during the colonoscopy. Having abnormal growths removed during colonoscopy and getting them evaluated for any signs of cancer increases your chances of getting treatment intervention should the biopsy result turns out to be positive for the disease. When cancer is treated during its early stages, it improves your chances of survival rate and quality of life.
Conclusion
Colonoscopy remains the gold standard procedure for detecting and preventing colorectal cancer. Some people hesitate to undergo this type of screening because of certain myths that surround the procedure. As discussed in this article, these myths are just that: myths. The truth is, colonoscopy can bring more good than harm to your health.
If you have reached the age of 45 or have a high risk of developing colorectal cancer and are already 25, then you should already plan to make that appointment at a colonoscopy clinic in Singapore. Consult with your healthcare provider if you need more guidance about the procedure. Remember: early detection through colonoscopy can save your life!
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Dr Lee Chin Li - Lee Surgery and Endoscopy | Colorectal Surgery | Gallbladder Surgery Singapore
Gleneagles Medical Centre
Lee Surgery and Endoscopy
6 Napier Road, #04-16, Singapore 258499
Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre (Orchard)
Dr Lee @ KYM Surgery3 Mount Elizabeth, #12-01, Singapore 228510
Farrer Park Medical Centre
Dr Lee @ KYM Surgery1 Farrer Park Station Road, #13-05, Singapore 217562
+65 8952 6327
