The no. 1 reason to schedule a colonoscopy today? It can actually prevent cancer

Colonoscopies. It’s not something that’s necessarily pleasant to think about, but it’s a screening everyone needs at some point. It’s also one that can prevent cancer, says Anuj Chhaparia, MD, a BJC Medical Group gastroenterologist at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Progress West Hospital. That’s because the procedure, an examination of the rectum and colon with a flexible tube affixed with a camera while the patient is sedated, helps a GI doctor detect and remove polyps and even early-stage cancer — before it spreads to other parts of the body.

Why would someone need to get a colonoscopy, and what conditions can they diagnose?

The most common reason someone might need to get a colonoscopy is for colorectal cancer prevention. Other common reasons include the evaluation of abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea or blood in the stool.

A colonoscopy is the most important tool available to gastroenterologists for diagnosing many different GI problems including inflammatory bowel disease, microscopic colitis, side effects of cancer chemotherapy — which we are seeing more frequently these days with the use of newer drugs called checkpoint inhibitors — and radiation proctitis, an effect of radiation seen in patients with prostate cancer. A colonoscopy can also diagnose diverticular disease and various colonic inflammation, and it can detect colon polyps and colon cancer.

Does a colonoscopy prevent cancer?

Absolutely. A colonoscopy can prevent colorectal cancer, which is now the third most common cancer in the United States and second most common cause of- cancer death. A colonoscopy enables the gastroenterologist to detect and remove polyps and even early-stage cancer before it spreads. The removal of these polyps decreases the incidence of colon cancer and its mortality. In addition, our state-of-the-art endoscopy centers at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West use cutting-edge artificial intelligence to detect polyps that may have previously gone undetected.

How often should you get a colonoscopy?

The incidence of colon cancer has been increasing, so it’s now recommended that you get your first colonoscopy at age 45. Some patients who have a family history of colon cancer might want to start at age 40 or even sooner. The interval for getting a follow-up colonoscopy depends on the number, size and type of polyps as well as the quality of the bowel prep, but it ranges from six months to 10 years.

How do you prep for a colonoscopy?

There used to be just one type of prep, or laxative, but now there are more options, and the prep is done the night before and morning of the colonoscopy. In general, patients will have clear liquids beginning the day before and up until the colonoscopy. Most importantly, our staff will discuss prep instructions in detail with each patient, and they’re also available to answer questions and help with any anxiety before the procedure.

Anuj Chhaparia, MD is a board-certified gastroenterologist. He is part of BJC Medical Group and sees patients at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Progress West Hospital.

To schedule an appointment, please call 636-928-WELL. To learn more about digestive care, visit bjsph.org/Medical-Services/Digestive-Care