The risk of serious complications is approximately 4 perforations and 8 major bleeding events per 10,000 screening colonoscopies with an estimated mortality rate of 0.007%.
Studies estimate the overall risk of complications for routine colonoscopy to be low, about 1.6%. 1 In contrast, the lifetime risk for developing colo-rectal cancer is about 4-5%. 2 To put it into perspective: a person's average risk of developing colon cancer is higher than having a complication after a colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy is very safe. Problems happen less than 1% of the time. It's rare, but you can bleed or have a tear in the intestine. Or you could have side effects from the medicine.
Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) recommends that adults age 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. The Task Force recommends that adults age 76 to 85 talk to their doctor about screening.
Not only can a colonoscopy detect precancerous polyps, but these polyps can usually be removed during the procedure to decrease the risk that they will develop into cancer. I encourage all people at average risk of colon cancer to get at least one colonoscopy beginning at age 45.
What happens if I refuse the Colonoscopy? This is your choice and there might be alternative examinations we can use instead. Your plan of care and treatment may change, as it is possible that some important information will be unavailable.
So overall, despite what your friends might say, or what you read on the internet, colonoscopies really aren't that bad. The prep is probably the worst part, but it's all necessary and a worthwhile sacrifice when it comes to protecting your health.
The mortality rate following colonoscopy (which could only be calculated for Ontario patients) was 0.074 deaths per 1,000 patients (or approximately one death per 14,000).
Studies show that, for someone of average risk, the FIT test is a good alternative to colonoscopy. There is also evidence that people unwilling to undergo a colonoscopy will complete a FIT test.
Following a normal colonoscopy, most patients are ready to return to work and all other routine activities 24 hours after the procedure.
Sigmoidoscopy is an invasive procedure that requires preparation, including fasting and taking pills to induce diarrhea or having an enema to clear the colon. This method carries fewer risks than colonoscopy, and it is often less expensive.
“As a gastroenterologist, I've heard all the reasons for not getting screened,” says Dr. Pluskota. “Most often, people express anxiety or fear about getting a colonoscopy. They've heard that the prep is difficult and are afraid the procedure will be painful.”
Your doctor will gently push the tube inside your colon and take pictures along the way. They will pump small amounts of air inside your colon to keep it open while the tube is in place. The doctor will be looking for polyps (small growths on the colon) that could turn into cancer with enough time.
They heard the test is difficult or painful, and they may be embarrassed to discuss colorectal cancer screening with their doctor. (Some tests can be taken at home with no pain or discomfort.) Because they have no family history, they think they aren't at risk and don't have to be screened.
But that's not how doctors — or colonoscopies — work. “Less than 1% of colonoscopies result in a finding of cancer,” says Uppal. “But even if yours is one of them, no one is going to perform an unplanned procedure on you while you're sedated.
In the US, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 5 adults between the ages of 50 and 75 have never been screened for colorectal cancer.
The reported rate of incomplete colonoscopies ranges from 4% to 25% according to published reports (12–15), and increases with age up to a rate of 22% to 33% (16).
You may experience some discomfort and mild pain in the abdominal area as air is relieved from the procedure and leaves your colon. If you had a polypectomy, depending on the extent of the polyps removed, your recovery may take longer, up to 2 weeks, with some bleeding to be expected.
Everyone's experience is different, but you can rest assured that the colonoscopy itself is painless. You will receive anesthesia so that you don't feel pain or remember the procedure. Most centers use medications that stop working quickly. That means you shouldn't feel any lingering side effects.
Physicians typically recommend mild foods that are easy on the overall digestive system following a colonoscopy screening. Another common practice after the procedure is to follow a low-residue diet. A low-residue diet means eating foods that are low in fiber and avoiding excessive amounts of dairy.
The vast majority of people feel back to normal quickly and don't suffer any pain or serious discomfort during or after a colonoscopy – and the test could save your life. If you're older than 45 or have a family history of colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor today about when you should schedule yours.
After your colonoscopy, you will stay in a recovery area until your sedatives wear off. If any polyps are removed, they will be sent to a lab for analysis. The results can be cancerous, precancerous, or noncancerous.