The advice is clear and direct. If you’re 45, get tested and don’t delay. If you’re under 45 and have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, talk to your doctor. No matter your age, know the symptoms to look for: blood in your stool, severe pain in your anus, sudden changes in bowel movements (such as new and persistent constipation or diarrhea), iron deficiency, anemia, weight loss, and fatigue. “Go see a gastroenterologist and pay for a colonoscopy,” says Dr. May.
Easier said than done, of course, especially for young people whose doctor may dismiss or downplay their concerns because of their age. “This is one of the biggest issues in colorectal cancer awareness and adequate care,” Michael Sapienza, MD, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, tells SELF. In the United States, the majority of young people Must be seen by two doctors Before they were taken seriously about colorectal cancer. Some have to see as many as four.
Cost and access make things more difficult. Colonoscopy is usually only covered by insurance after age 45 or when symptoms are severe. Specialists are not available everywhere. Even among those who qualify, many avoid testing because it makes them feel afraid, uncomfortable, or embarrassed. As of 2022, only 61% of adults ages 45 to 75 have been screened.
So, while colonoscopy is the “gold standard,” in Dr. Nazareth’s view, for people who are not at risk for colorectal cancer, “any test is a good test. It doesn’t matter if it’s (a) colonoscopy.” ColoGuardFor example, an FDA-approved stool test, although not a substitute for a colonoscopy, is an effective colon cancer screening tool.
Colonoscopy reformulation
For a long time, colonoscopies have been the butt of aging jokes. But most people who have experienced it say the reality is not that bad.
The preparation is usually the most intimidating: following a clear liquid diet the day before the colonoscopy as well as drinking several liters of water mixed with powdered medications to clean the intestines. Bell and Beran have lots of little tips that can make it better, like putting the liquid in the fridge to make it cold, using hemorrhoid cream proactively, and booking your colonoscopy after 11 a.m. so you don’t have to take your second dose of prep medication in the middle of the night.
