Medical Center News Current Articles | Archives | Search Friday, February 25, 2011 Colonoscopy and endoscopy – Why it’s necessary and lifesaving   By Dr. Robert Zolten, M.D., gastroenterologist at the Medical Center at Ocean Reef Colon cancer is the second cause of death from cancer in the U.S. Yet, it’s totally unnecessary to have colon cancer. Because colon cancer can be found and treated, it’s a matter of knowing American Medical Association (AMA) recommendations, options, prevention and treatment.Endoscopy is a general term for putting an inspection device into someone’s body. It encompasses gastroscopy (inspecting through the throat) and colonoscopy (through the colon). Three years ago, we set up an endoscopy lab or GI station at the Medical Center, where we have the capability of doing colonoscopy and gastroscopy. To date, we’ve done about 300 colonoscopies at MCOR with a 100 percent safety record; we have had no complications. And, we’ve found a significant number of polyps and a couple of cancers. The AMA recommends colonoscopies every 10 years starting at age 50. Because polyps take 10-15 years to grow and turn into cancer, the 10-year timeframe is average. However, those who have polyps generally will have colonoscopies more frequently; about every five years is a safe estimate.Both genders need colonoscopies done, and sooner than age 50 if there’s a reason such as family history of cancer. Personally, I think age 50 is too late to get the first one. If we started doing them at age 40, we’d cure cancer because we’d catch the polyps before they turn into cancer. Sadly, I’ve had patients as young as 27 die from colon cancer. Prevention is key. I’ll do a colonoscopy no matter how old they are, for example at age 18, and maybe more frequently than the 10-year standard, in the case of an immediate family member (parent, sibling or child) having had cancer. It may comfort many 50-year-olds to know that GIs use a new cleansing procedure. People dreaded the old cleansing procedure. Comparatively, people love the new method. Another improvement in the procedure is sedation during the colonoscopy, which means people don’t remember the endoscopy and are not in pain. A barium enema is an old way to check the colon. Now there are Cat scan or CT colography which qualify as pretty good tests, in my opinion. If something is abnormal, the next step is a colonoscopy. And of course, at Ocean Reef, personal attention is always a benefit.A person might put off having a colonoscopy because they fear the preparation is awful, or fear pain, or even fear finding out there is something wrong. However, what you don’t know can hurt you. If you don’t know about cancer, you die. Let me re-emphasize: preparation is easy; the exam is done without pain, and you’ll know at the end of the procedure whether you have something that needs further tests or not. Of course, we do other endoscopies at the Medical Center. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum with a small camera (flexible endoscope). It is an option for patients with chronic heartburn, bleeding, pain and weight loss. No preparation is involved, except for fasting after midnight. This is painless, and can be done right on premises. Results can be described due to the pictures of the stomach, but we may take tissue samples (biopsies), send them to a lab, and have results in about three to five days. An endoscopy is only done when needed. It is not routine. But, if there is some finding, patients should have it done. To make an appointment, call the Medical Center at Ocean Reef at 367-2600. The Medical Center is able to provide year-round special services because of the Medical Center Foundation Founders Society. To support the Founders Society or find out more, please call 367-4224. Comments