Colonoscopy Saves Lives

Bethlehem, PA (3/7/2016) – St. Luke’s physicians encourage their patients over 50 to schedule a colonoscopy to significantly reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer, the nation’s second leading cause of cancer death.

“Colonoscopy saves lives in two ways,” says gastroenterologist
Dr. Noel Martins of St. Luke's Gastroenterology Specialists. “First, should cancer be present, colonoscopy helps us to detect the disease in its earliest stages when treatment is more effective. Second, colonoscopy enables us to identify and remove pre-cancerous growths, called polyps, consequently preventing the cancer from ever developing.” A polyp is a small clump of cells on the inner wall of the colon and rectum commonly found in adults over 50. While most are harmless, some can develop into colon cancer.

During a colonoscopy, a physician uses a thin, flexible tube equipped with a video camera to look into the patient’s colon. The camera projects pictures onto a screen of the inside of the colon and enables the doctor to remove polyps and abnormal growths. The procedure usually last about 30 minutes and patients usually receive anesthesia. A day or so before the procedure, the patient is provided with very strong laxatives to clean out the colon.

“As a colon and rectal surgeon I have witnessed the effectiveness of colonoscopy in reducing the incidence and severity of cancer,” says
Dr. Daniel Bowers of Eyvazzadeh and Reilly Colon and Rectal Center. “As a result, I am dumbfounded by the fact that so many people avoid having them. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that a third of adults aged 50 to 75 years have not been tested for colorectal cancer. If we could persuade more people to get a colonoscopy, just think of the needless suffering we could prevent.”



Dr. Bowers suggests that individuals get a screening colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 50. Should polyps be found, colonoscopy should be repeated sooner. He also recommends the procedure at a younger age, or more frequently, should the patient have:

• A personal history of colorectal cancer
• A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
• A strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
• A known family history of a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome

If you are over 50 and have not had a colonoscopy talk to your family doctor. For more information, visit http://www.slhn.org/conditions-services/digestive. To schedule a colonoscopy, call St. Luke’s InfoLink toll-free at 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537).

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Media Contact:

Mariella B. Miller
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
St. Luke's University Health Network
484-526-4134
Mariella.Miller@sluhn.org

For more information about St. Luke’s services or to find a physician, call St. Luke’s InfoLink toll-free at
1-866-STLUKES (785-8537) Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or email us anytime at Info.Link@sluhn.org. Read More News