Colorectal Screening

Colon Cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. If you are 45 or older, getting screened could save your life! Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps in the colon or rectum. Some polyps can turn into cancer over a period of time. Screening tests can find polyps, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The dense components of very high roughage foods such as seeds and some skins tend to layer out at the bottom of intestinal segments and are more resistant to being flushed out by laxatives. In most cases, the preparation fluids will flush out the material anyway, but you’ll have optimal preparation–and the gastroenterologist will have the clearest view–if you avoid these foods for a few days. We understand that it’s likely you will inadvertently eat some of these items, and that’s okay. However, it really is best to completely avoid the smallest, densest seeds such as those found in tomatoes, kiwi fruit, blackberries, and raspberries.

Iron supplements can have a constipating effect, making it more difficult for the laxative to clean out the colon. In addition, retained iron can stain the walls of the colon or the fluid, which make it harder to view the colon walls.

Even after an excellent preparation for colonoscopy, a certain amount of fluid and mucous adheres to the walls of the colon. These will be tinted red or purple by natural and artificial dyes in beets, fruit drinks, and Jello, which can give an appearance similar to blood. This makes it more difficult to reach clear conclusions during the procedure.

In the days leading up to the formal preparation day, stock up on the clear liquids that appeal to you most and have them well chilled (as appropriate). Most people find they are much less hungry than they expected during preparation day. Take the laxative recommended by your gastroenterologist at home, as the time it takes to “kick in” varies greatly “ from 30 minutes to 4 hours. Drink extra fluids. Plan to do light activities such as reading, watching TV, or simple chores at home.

The sugar and protein contained in fluids, including Jello, can sustain blood sugar very well for most people. In many cases, patients who have had some trouble with hypoglycemia in the past typically find that their preparation for the procedure goes better than expected because they are drinking lots of fluids and they are having a restful day, all of which helps them avoid the circumstances that bring on their symptoms. On very rare occasions, when someone does have trouble, we can design a customized eating plan during an office appointment to get through a successful colonoscopy preparation.

Advice about stopping and restarting oral anti-coagulants is individualized and needs to be discussed directly with your doctor. In most cases, an office appointment will be scheduled to review the specifics of your medical history before making the final plan.

If you are taking a medication to treat a specific medical problem, you will need to review your history during an appointment with your doctor. Together you can determine a plan tailored to your individual circumstances.

If you believe you have significant constipation or have been told that your preparation for a prior colonoscopy wasn’t optimal, some extra preparation may be advisable. Talk this over with your doctor during your office appointment prior to your procedure.

In most cases, yes, routine medications can be taken with a glass of water up to three hours prior to an endoscopic procedure. This may mean waking up earlier than usual to take your medications with clear liquid (water, coffee or tea without cream, or non-red, pulp-free juice).

Yes, you may continue to have water, soda, juices that are not red or purple, tea, and black coffee up to 3 hours before the procedure.

In general, the sedatives used for these procedures do not have any effect on the body’s handling (metabolism) of maintenance medications for most chronic conditions. However, if you are taking sleeping, anti-anxiety, or psychiatric medications, your system may be somewhat more resistant to the sedatives. The doctors will adjust the dose of the sedative as needed.

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