Louisiana has the country’s fourth-highest death rate of colorectal (a cancer of the colon or rectum) cancer for a five-year average. The key to preventing new cases is to follow routine guidelines for screenings.

Recently, the American Cancer Society changed its recommendations for colon cancer screenings. Now, most individuals are encouraged to start screening tests at age 45 – a whole five years before the previous recommendation of waiting for age 50.

So, why do physicians stress screening?

A colonoscopy is the most familiar preventative method and has a proven track record in large population studies of preventing colon cancer through early detection. Early detection, via colonoscopy, allows the removal of pre-cancerous lesions and assures “healthy” or asymptomatic patients that they will not have a potentially problematic situation.

Unfortunately, not enough people who are eligible for screening are completing it. In fact, an estimated 28 million Americans are not up to date on their screenings.

Though prevention strategies are not usually considered “fun,” they are a pleasant outing in the park compared to colon cancer treatment.

The colonoscopy procedure, in and of itself, is a painless procedure. During the actual procedure, the patient is asleep and feels nothing.

The troublesome part is the preparation to achieve a clean colon so that any pre-cancerous lesions can be detected.

The “prep” of cleaning out your intestines is at best trying, and at worst stressful; but the end justifies the means of gaining the information that is needed and the comfort of moving forward with less concern.

The great majority of exams find little or nothing of concern, but where problems are found your physician can deal with them far more successfully than dealing with the subsequent regret that occurs when detection is too late.

If precancerous lesions are found, they are removed, thereby reducing a patient’s colon cancer risk. Plus, patients who have a normal exam and no family history are recommended for a follow up in 10 years.

Remember – good health will always be the best measure of success. Make the decision for prevention and talk to your doctor about screening. You’ll be glad you did.

Dr. Conar Fitton completed an Internal Medicine Internship and Residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He also completed a Gastroenterology Fellowship at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, Tenn. Fitton is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Gastroenterology Subspecialty Board. To schedule an appointment at Ochsner Health Center – River Parishes, call 985-240-4315.