Prevent colon cancer with colonoscopy

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and is a good time to remind family and friends to have a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy remains the best available option for the detection of precancerous colon polyps, and early removal of these polyps can eliminate most colon cancers.

The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) recommends a screening colonoscopy starting at age 50 for all nationalities, but it is recommended that African Americans be screened at age 45 with a normal risk of colorectal cancer. For those with a family history of colorectal cancer, testing should begin at 40 years of age or 10 years younger than the age of the youngest affected relative, whichever is earlier.

The training and experience of your endoscopist are critical to obtaining a quality colonoscopy. Gastroenterologists receive special training in colonoscopy and perform more colonoscopies by far than any other specialty.

The cleanest colon gives the best colonoscopy results. In March, the ACG will be publishing a new guideline on colorectal cancer screening that calls for "split preps" " a regimen for taking the laxatives in two doses that provides the cleanest colon at the time of the exam. Ask your doctor for a "split prep" regimen at the time of your colonoscopy so that you will get the best exam possible.

Colorectal cancer is the No. 2 cancer killer in the United States, approximately 52,000 American's die each year from colorectal cancer, yet it is one of the most preventable types of cancer, and curable, when detected early. Please don't wait for symptoms to appear. Get screened with colonoscopy on time and reduce your risk of dying of colorectal cancer.

- Craig Sande, MD, FACG, is the president of GI Consultants in Reno.