Colonoscopy: Getting Acquainted With Your Intestine

Colon and rectal cancers are one of most common forms of cancer diagnosed in men and women over 50.

(Part 1 of a 2-part series) These cancers are the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You or your older parent may know someone who has been diagnosed and treated for colon cancer or has died from the disease. The good news is that many men and women over 50 can reduce their risk of developing colon cancer if they have regular colonoscopies to identify abnormal growths that may be early signs of colon or rectal cancers.

Colonoscopies are responsible for preventing at least 60% of deaths from colon cancer. Older adults with a history of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease) or ulcerative colitis are at increased risk for developing intestinal cancers. The American Cancer Society recommends that people diagnosed with either of these conditions should have a colonoscopy eight to twelve years after they have been diagnosed with the disease with follow-up colonoscopies at least every two years after that.

Preparing for the Procedure

A colonoscopy is not the most pleasant health care procedure and many people put them off as long as possible. When your parent finally decides to go ahead the procedure, the doctor will explain the examination in detail and provide both of you with written instructions about the prep and what to expect during the colonoscopy. Both of you should review this information thoroughly so that you understand what you need to do to prepare for the procedure.

The bowel must be thoroughly cleaned out the day before the colonoscopy is scheduled so that the doctor will have a good view of the intestine during the exam. This way the doctor can more easily spot polyps or other abnormalities that could be signs of cancer and remove them for testing. Polyps may become cancerous and removing them during the colonoscopy can prevent future cancers.

The Day Before the Procedure

Once the procedure has been scheduled you and your relative will be given written instructions about preparing the bowel for the exam. Provide the doctor with a list of all health conditions that your relative has and a list of prescription and over the counter medications she takes including aspirin, arthritis medications, blood thinners diabetes medications, vitamins with iron.

• Your family member should not eat solid foods or drink liquids colored red or purple dye (grape juice, tomato juice, etc.).
• He or she can have fat-free bouillon, broth, plain water, plain coffee or tea, strained fruit juice (no pulp or seeds), Gatorade and other sports drinks, Jello.
• The night before the colonoscopy your parent will need to take a laxative or enema to increase bowel movements and cleanse the intestines as clear as possible so the doctors can identify any abnormalities.
• On the morning of the procedure, help you parent get dressed in comfortable clothes and get into the car. He or she may feel weak and uneasy about the procedure. At the hospital find a wheel chair that will take him to the room where the procedure will take place. Assure your parent that he will be going home very soon.

If Your Parent Has Diabetes

Often someone with diabetes will experience unusually high or low blood glucose levels after surgery. Be sure you get written instructions about managing diabetes management before your parent is discharged and make sure you understand them. Ask a nurse or diabetes educator when your older relative can eat or drink, and what foods he can eat. Find out when diabetes medications or insulin should be administered, dosages, when blood sugar levels should be tested, and how high or low blood sugar readings should be treated.

When the Colonoscopy is Over

Your parent and you will both be happy when this procedure is over and know that it won't need to be repeated for several years. Share what you have learned about this disease with friends and other relatives and how important it is to be diagnosed and treated before it affects their health and the health of their families.