by Rosalia Treto, APRN, FNP-C
Digestive Disease Center

In the 1980s and 1990s, the NBC broadcast network began branding their primetime lineups to promote their sitcoms and dramas. One phrase quickly entered the pop culture lexicon after it debuted in 1993. The phrase you might ask. “Must See TV.” If you were a teenager in the early ‘90s and remember trying to rush through your homework to watch that night’s “Must-See TV” lineup, it could be time for another “must” – a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is a screening that can identify cancers early, when the odds of successful treatment are highest. It can also help find polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous. The American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that screenings like these begin at age 45. If you are at higher-than-average risk, you may need to begin screening earlier, and more frequently and/or with specific tests. As always, you should talk to your primary care provider about your risks and family medical history to determine the right time for you to begin screening.

*In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second to lung cancer as a cause of cancer mortality and is the third most commonly occurring cancer in both men and women. Most CRCs develop through the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, presenting opportunities to prevent cancer by removing its precursor lesions, in addition to identifying CRC in its earliest, curable stages. CRC screening efforts are directed toward removal of polyps and detection of early-stage CRC. Colonoscopy is the most performed gastrointestinal procedure in the United States. It allows for not only the detection of early-stage cancers but also the detection and removal of polyps and confers a long-term protection from CRC incidence and mortality.

The American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force recommend that screenings for CRC begin at age 45.  This recommendation is based on the increasing disease burden among individuals under the age of 50.  If you are at higher-than-average risk, you may need to begin screening earlier. As always, you should talk to your primary care provider about your risks and family medical history to determine the right time for you to begin screening.

While early stages of colorectal cancer are often without symptoms, the American Cancer Society recommend that you monitor for these symptoms:

• Bleeding from the rectum
• Blood in the stool or in the toilet after having a bowel movement
• Dark or black stools
• A change in bowel habits or the shape of the stool (e.g., more narrow than usual)
• Cramping, pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen
• An urge to have a bowel movement when the bowel is empty
• Constipation or diarrhea that lasts for more than a few days
• Decreased appetite
• Unintentional weight loss.

While these symptoms can also be indicative of other health conditions, you should talk to your doctor about them so they can help you get to the root of the issue and determine the underlying cause.

If you’re 45 or younger and at higher risk – which may include a family history of colorectal cancer or the presence of other diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) – it’s a good idea to schedule your colonoscopy for peace of mind, ensure early detection before symptoms appear, and increase your chances for successful treatment- if CRC is detected.

Thanks in large part to screening colonoscopies, the overall incidence of, and death rates associated with, colorectal cancers have been on the decline.

Here’s more good news. A colonoscopy may be easier for you than you think. You will likely be given pain medication and a sedative to minimize your discomfort, and the screening usually only takes about 30 minutes.

So, if “Must-See TV” is a fond memory of your high school and college years, ask your provider if a colonoscopy is a “Must Screening” for you. Discuss your risks and the right time for you to begin this important part of your health journey. It’s a short inconvenience that could ultimately save your life.

In addition to scheduling your colonoscopy, you can also be proactive in prevention by maintaining healthy habits like daily exercise, a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting your alcohol intake and eliminating smoking.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. So, if you’re 45 or older, you can count on Paris Regional Medical Center for your colonoscopy. To find a provider or schedule your screening, call 903.737.3232. For more information, visit ParisRegionalMedical.com.

* The American Journal of Gastroenterology: March 2021 - Volume 116 - Issue 3 - p 458-479