Many people hesitate to discuss topics such as colonoscopies and gastrointestinal health, contributing to colorectal cancer being the fourth most common cancer in the United States. Despite its prevalence, experts indicate it is among the most preventable cancers.
Dr. Venu Gangireddy, a gastroenterologist at Piedmont HealthCare, who performs procedures at Iredell Memorial Hospital, discussed risk factors, treatment, and prevention of colorectal cancer in an interview.
“Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death here in the U.S. Our lifetime risk of having colorectal cancer is around four percent. To put it in a different perspective, our risk of a motor vehicle accident death is around one percent,” Dr. Gangireddy explained, highlighting its frequency.
He further emphasized the importance of screenings by stating, “Around 85 percent of colorectal cancers can be prevented with appropriate screenings. There is a recent estimate from 1975-2020 that around 940,000 colon cancer deaths were prevented in the U.S., mainly from screening.”
Symptoms of colorectal cancer are often not apparent until advanced stages. However, Dr. Gangireddy noted symptoms that should prompt medical consultation include “rectal bleeding, unintentional weight loss, or a change in bowel habits.”
Several factors increase the risk of developing this cancer, including age, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, family history, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Dr. Gangireddy advised that screening should begin at age 45 for individuals at average risk. For those with a family history, especially from first-degree relatives diagnosed with colon cancer, earlier screening might be necessary.
Dr. Gangireddy explained the procedure and detection capability of a colonoscopy: “The patient does a ‘prep’ regimen the day before the colonoscopy that cleans out the colon. This may be in liquid or pill form. The patient arrives at the endoscopy center and is put under sedation, rendering them unconscious for the procedure.”
When asked about what colonoscopies can detect, Dr. Gangireddy stated: “When we screen for colon cancer, we are screening for polyps, or growths, in the colon. 85% of the time, these pre-cancerous polyps develop into cancer.”
Colonoscopy is one of several methods used for colorectal cancer detection, prompting people to consult with their doctors about suitable screening options.
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