Author: Leslie Toldo
Alicia Jeffery planned to have a colonoscopy at 45, but life happened, and she did not get the screening until she was 47.
“I wanted to be vigilant because colon cancer is in my family,” Alicia said. “My grandmother had it and survived, so I knew screening was important.”
However, it wasn’t until after McLaren Flint gastroenterologist Dr. Erika DeGayner performed her colonoscopy that Alicia truly realized what a valuable tool the screening is.
“Dr. DeGayner removed four polyps from my colon,” Alicia said. “None of the polyps was cancerous, but they could have become so over time if I didn’t have them removed.”
What makes the colonoscopy such a great screening tool is that it can not only catch cancer in its early stages, but it can also catch and stop it before it starts.
“Colonoscopy is very sensitive. The average sensitivity for detecting colon cancers is about 95 percent. For precancerous polyps that sensitivity is 89 to 95 percent,” said Dr. DeGayner. “The screening not only allows for real time visualization of colon polyps, it allows the doctor to remove the polyps at the same time.”
The colonoscopy, an outpatient test, requiring sedation and performed at a surgical center, is the gold standard, but those at average risk have other screening options. This includes the at home Cologuard and FIT fecal tests.
“Cologuard tests a stool sample and analyzes it for DNA markers. It detects 92 percent of colorectal cancers and 42 percent of precancerous polyps,” said Dr. DeGayner. “The fecal immunohisochemical test (FIT) tests stool for blood in stool. It detects 74 percent of colorectal cancers and 23 percent of precancerous polyps.”
If either the Cologuard or FIT test comes back positive, a patient still must have a colonoscopy.
“Stool based tests are not recommended for patients with family histories of colon cancer, or symptoms, or those with diagnosed polyps,” said Dr. DeGayner.
The American Cancer Society recommends people at average risk for colorectal cancer should begin screening at 45. Screening with a colonoscopy may begin at 40 or sooner for those with family histories.
For many patients, the most difficult part of getting a colonoscopy is the preparation required the day before. Mostly commonly, patients must drink 4 liters of drink solution and water or sports drinks to purge the bowel and clear it out for screening.
“Yes, it’s a pain but it was just annoying,” said Alicia. “It’s not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, just 12 hours of inconvenience. “
It was a small price to pay for Alicia, who now knows that colorectal cancer has been rising in younger patients for years now.
“Colorectal cancer is no longer a disease of the elderly,” said Dr. DeGayner. “Experts don’t know what’s causing the jump in colorectal cancer among young adults, but we do know some factors such as sedentary lifestyle, overweight and obesity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, low-fiber, high-fat diets or diets high in processed meats, and other environmental factors have all been associated with the disease.”
While many patients can go as long as five to ten years between colonoscopies, Alicia will have to go back in three years, because Dr. DeGayner found polyps.
“I am glad that I had it done. Knowledge is power and I know what is going on with my body,” said Alicia.
Should your colonoscopy require follow-up, the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint offers comprehensive care, including medical, radiation, and surgical oncology, as well as genetic testing. To learn more about our team and services, visit mclaren.org/flintcancer.
Talk with your primary caregiver about getting set up for a screening. You can also contact Dr. Erika DeGayner here.