Is Colonoscopy Your Best Bet to Avoid Colorectal Cancer?

Did you know you have multiple acceptable screening methods available, yet most doctors simply recommend colonoscopy without reviewing the options, benefits and drawbacks of each for their patients? It’s important to realize that colonoscopy is not a risk-free procedure. STORY AT-A-GLANCE Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S., and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for both sexes combined. Despite the fact that there are multiple screening methods, most doctors simply recommend colonoscopy, which is one of the riskier methods Research shows that while colonoscopies can lower your risk of a colorectal cancer diagnosis, they do not significantly reduce your risk of dying from colorectal cancer Recent research concluded that about 25% of all colonoscopies performed are unnecessary A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2017 concluded that regular aspirin use was as effective for preventing colorectal cancer incidence and death thereof as screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy or fecal occult blood test. And, when it came to preventing death from cancer in the proximal colon, aspirin was more effective than either of these screens About 80% of endoscopes are cleaned using Cidex (glutaraldehyde), which fails to properly sterilize these tools, potentially allowing for the transfer of infectious material from one patient into another. If you must get a colonoscopy, make sure the hospital or clinic uses peracetic acid to disinfect their endoscopes. This will minimize your likelihood of contracting an infection from a previous patient Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for both sexes combined.1...