Routine colonoscopy screenings can prevent, detect and help treat issues so you can stay healthy

By Ken McEntee

Colorectal cancer, says Caroline Soyka, DO, Director of Endoscopy at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, is one of the only preventable types of cancer. That’s mainly because of the ability to stop it in its tracks during a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is a procedure during which a doctor examines the inside of a patient’s colon using a small camera at the end of a flexible tube. At the same time, any polyps—or abnormal growths—that are detected can be removed, eliminating the chance that they might eventually evolve into cancer.

“There are less invasive tests that can detect cancer in a stool sample,” Dr. Soyka says. “Where they fall short, however, is that they do nothing to intervene for the prevention of cancer. I think that it’s a missed opportunity to be able to get a close look inside a patient’s colon and take care of any potential problems right on the spot. Early detection and prevention save lives.”

Polyps are found during only 20 to 30 percent of the hundreds of colonoscopies done each month at UH Geauga Medical Center, Dr. Soyka says. And those have a low probability of becoming cancerous.

“It takes about 10 years for a polyp to turn into cancer, and we typically don’t know which ones will and which ones won’t,” she says. “That’s why we remove them during the colonoscopy.”

In rare cases where cancer is detected and confirmed, the on-campus UH Seidman Cancer Center has oncologists, surgeons, chemotherapy, radiation and other world class treatment.

A colonoscopy is a painless procedure that is done under anesthesia.

“Typically, the patient goes to sleep, the procedure is done, then the patient wakes up and asks when the procedure will start,” Dr. Soyka says. “It’s that safe and easy. Then you might enjoy some shortbread cookies or a muffin and a cup of coffee. Within 20 minutes you’re on your way home.”

The worst part, most patients report, is the cleansing that takes place the night before the colonoscopy. To completely rid the colon of stool that could impair the camera’s view, the patient must drink a laxative. Fortunately, Dr. Soyka says, although today’s laxatives may not be delicious, lower volume preps may be available.

“Going through the prep and having a tube fed into your colon might seem invasive, but it’s much less invasive than getting a port and weekly blood work for chemotherapy,” she says.

Despite being one of the most treatable forms of cancer when it is diagnosed early, colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among Americans. And, Dr. Soyka laments, it is being diagnosed at increasingly younger ages.

That’s why it’s so important to have colonoscopies done at recommended intervals—generally starting at the age of 45—or younger if you have a history of cancer in your family, or if you experience symptoms like bright red blood in your stool, changes in your bowel habits, bloating and unintentional weight loss, she says. Follow-up screenings can range between six months to 10 years later, depending on the advice of a patient’s doctor.

You can schedule a colonoscopy or find out more by visiting UHHospitals.org/locations/uh-geauga-medical-center/services/digestive-health, or by calling 440-870-8980. UH Geauga Medical Center is located at 13207 Ravenna Road, in Chardon.