New, Large Study Questions Colonoscopy Benefits.

Most people dread the idea of getting a colonoscopy but doctors have pushed the importance of them for years. With the best of intentions, the thought is that having a colonoscopy done early enough may prevent certain types of colon cancers. If you know anything about the process, it makes perfect sense why this is such a highly dreaded procedure. Not only is the colonoscopy itself pretty unpleasant but so is the prep. Patients are given a liquid formula that is meant to clean out the system. After going through that unplacesnt process, the patient has to endure a camera going into the rectum but the most unsettling part is getting the results. It’s nerve-wracking because the results may very well mean you’ll need treatment. It was once thought that having a colonoscopy could save your life. However a new study conducted by medical professionals may have different findings.

A New(ish) Study.

Dr Michael Bretthauer is a gastroenterologist in Norway at the University of Oslo. He explained that this study, in which a colonoscopy was conducted in the hopes of identifying certain colon cancers early enough for treatment, had unexpected results. The findings are shown to have reduced a person’s chance of colon related cancers by about 18-31%, and the risk of death by anywhere from 0-50%. In an interview with CNN, he states disappointedly, “we may have oversold the message for the last 10 years or so, and we may have to wind back a little.” Researchers followed participants for another five years after the study because colon cancers are typically slow growing and sometimes require a larger time allotment for results to be accurate. The study invited 28,000 participants and only about half showed up for participation.These participants had an 18% reduction in the likelihood that they would contract a life threatening colon cancer before it was too late to receive treatment and possibly save their lives. He bases these statistics off the most recent study done, there have however been a number of studies conducted, in order to truly understand how these screenings can be used as a preventive measure to ensure one’s health and wellbeing. 

Original Study. 

A study done in Europe, involving participants from Poland, Norway, and Sweden has helped medical professionals come to a new conclusion in regards to how a colonoscopy can help to save your life from certain colon cancers. This was the first study done in regards to this trial and was conducted with 84,000 participants, both men and women, between the ages of 55 and 64. Contrary to previous beliefs, the colon screening only had an 18% success rate at catching colon cancers in people who showed no other signs or symptoms. The study took place between the years of 2009 and 2014. This was the first study to be conducted and had unexpected findings. Due to these findings, another study was conducted that invited 28,000 participants. However, only half took part in the study and it is because of this that some experts are stating it is still an important procedure for maintaining one’s health. They believe that because only half participated the numbers aren’t an accurate representation of the general population. 

What the Future Holds.

Dr. Otis Brawley, is an oncologist at Johns Hopkins University and was previously the chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. He has taken part in some of the research conducted and explains further studies will be done in the future to better understand how getting a colonoscopy can impact treatments and preventative measures. Another study will be conducted, this time spanning over a 15 year period. This time frame should help researchers to see how these slowly progressing cancers may show up even after preventative measures have been taken. Researchers are hopeful that with a longer period of monitoring cases will continue to be reduced, proving the long thought importance of a colonoscopy and other types of screenings. 

Health Screenings to Maintain Healthy Lives.

Until now, doctors have recommended everyone over the age of 45 should have a colonoscopy screening done once every 10 years. It is unknown how these new findings will affect the way medical experts press the importance of these screenings. They are however used as a preventative measure and that in itself offers a good reason to have them done every now and then. While certain scans and readings, such as MRI and CT do have a tendency to release radiation into the body, an occasional check up on the inner working parts of the body can help to ensure diseases are caught early enough to be removed or treated.