Colonoscopy
Colorectal cancer is common, but there is a tool that can help prevent it: a colonoscopy. Starting at age 50 (or sooner depending on family history), it’s important to have a colonoscopy every 10 years. Known as the gold standard for colon cancer testing, a colonoscopy is the most thorough screening for prevention and early […]
Table of Contents
Colorectal cancer is common, but there is a tool that can help prevent it: a colonoscopy. Starting at age 50 (or sooner depending on family history), it’s important to have a colonoscopy every 10 years.
Known as the gold standard for colon cancer testing, a colonoscopy is the most thorough screening for prevention and early detection. With a colonoscopy, your doctor can spot early warning signs and remove polyps before they turn into colorectal cancer. Colonoscopies give you the best chance of prevention or early detection, when treatment is usually more successful. In fact, when caught before it spreads to other parts of the body, the five-year survival rate for colon cancer is 90 percent.
It’s estimated that without any colorectal cancer screening, about 1 in 18 Americans will have colorectal cancer at some point in their life.
Screening colonoscopies detect and help prevent cancer
People who keep up with their screenings are significantly less likely to have colon cancer. In the United States, the rates of colon cancer have declined as more people seek timely colorectal screenings. And yet, in Kansas, roughly one-third of all adults age 50+ do not get properly screened for colorectal cancer. That number is better than the national average, but there is still room for improvement.
Colon Cancer Risk Factors
According to the American Cancer Society, you might be able to lower your risk of colorectal cancer by managing some of the risk factors you can control, such as diet and physical activity. Here are some tips that may help lower your risk:
• Stay at a healthy weight and avoid weight gain around your midsection
• Increase the intensity and amount of your activity
• Limit red and processed meats, and eat more fruits and vegetables
• Avoid excess alcohol
• Quit smoking
Meet Our Care Team
Charles Brooks, MD
Gastroenterology
Dr. Brooks is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he completed his residency training in internal medicine. He completed a Fellowship in general internal medicine at the University of Kansas and a Fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He is a member of the American Gastroenterology Association and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
