Colon cancer can currently be overcome in 95% of cases. Specialists warn that it is necessary to submit to all tests and examinations to prevent, detect or detect this disease early. From the time the first precancerous cell is born until the tumor emerges, there is a very wide margin that can be up to 10 years. When is it necessary to have a colonoscopy?
During the last years, the cases have been increasing; but it is not because we are facing a disease that prevails over the rest, but because more people are detected than before. Therefore, a cancer detection examination, at the exact moment, is a guarantee of cure since there will be a long time to be able to eliminate it. One of the prevention and screening tests is the colonoscopy exam.
What does the exam consist of?
The preparation for the colonoscopy is very important and it is necessary that the colon be very clean to be able to observe its interior correctly, so it begins 4 days in advance with a diet without residues, that is, low in fiber, fat and lactose.
Before the test, the patient is sedated using a product called propofol that induces sleep in 30 seconds. Therefore, it is convenient that someone accompany you since you could feel dizzy and you should avoid driving for the rest of the day.
Colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy in which the doctor examines the entire length of the colon and rectum with a thin, flexible tube that has its own light source and a small camera on the end.
During the test, a sheet will cover you and you will be asked to lie on your side with your knees bent. There is no exact duration for this examination, as it could take much longer if a polyp is found: if it is small, it can be removed immediately and sent to the laboratory for analysis; but if it is very large, a biopsy will be performed.
The colonoscopy should be repeated every 10 years, approximately.
How to detect colon cancer early?
We mentioned earlier that it is possible to detect the presence of a very early stage polyp or tumor during colon exploration. That is why this test is of vital importance to prevent time from passing without knowing what is happening inside this organ.
If nothing out of the ordinary happens during the test, you will know the results immediately afterward. However, if a biopsy is necessary, you will have to wait between 7 and 10 days to know the final diagnosis.
When is a colonoscopy necessary?
The recommended age for a colonoscopy medical check-up is 50 years. However, there are two irrigation groups that will need to be tested first. Afro-descendants have a higher incidence of this cancer, so it is recommended that they be examined from the age of 45.
People with a family history of people who had first-degree cancer (father or brother) are advised to have it done 10 years before the age at which the cancer was diagnosed in the immediate family member. That is, if a sister has suffered from colon cancer at age 40, the exam should be performed at 30.
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