subject: Colonoscopy: Protection From Cancer [print this page] Colonoscopy is considered as one of the best solution for preventing cancer and likewise the early detection and removal of cancerous cells or polyps. This process enables the detection of cancer cells on both sides of the colon which basically reduces the cancer risks. The risks for undergoing the said treatment were quite minimal but the advantages are undeniably higher. This proves that Colonoscopy is in fact a great solution for the protection and prevention from colon cancer.
But is it really certain that undergoing the colonoscopy examination reduces the number of cancer cells on either sides of the colon?
Over the years, there were actually several conducted studies showing that by performing an endoscopic examination of the colon enables the detection of precancerous lesions located in the colons left part. This left descending part of the colon is primarily connected to the rectum and is where basically most of the precancerous or malignant cells likely develop. However, regarding the ascending and transverse part of the colon, performing colonoscopy showed no risks reduction at all. This simply means that colonoscopy is quite effective for detecting malignant cells only on the descending part of the colon.
Dr. Hermann Brenner of DKFZ together with his team performed epidemiological researches for the purpose of evaluating the various methods to perform for the early detection of cancerous cells. Dr Brenner teams latest study includes the proof of whether or not performing the colonoscopy examination has greater advantages in cancer risks reduction compared to the more minimal examination called Sigmoidoscopy. This is only with regards to the examination of the descending part of the colon, which is basically considered as the lesser troublesome part for the patients. Based on their elaborated method, the researches performed a survey on 1,688 patients of colorectal cancer. Included in their survey were questions regarding their colonoscopies and the results that they had garnered over the previous 10 years before they had undergone Colonoscopy.
The results showed that having a previous colonoscopy plus the early detection and removal of the precancerous cells reduces the risks of having a malignant colorectal cancer through 77%. Thus, the protection from cancer resulted as high as 84%.
Despite the fact that colonoscopy can be a fairly helpful and effective tool in reducing the risks of cancer, it is still recommended that doctors should explain to their patients that even though the endoscopic investigation of the colon concludes clearly positive results from the colon cancer protection, it still does not assure a 100% safety to the patients.
Most epidemiologists made an explanation of why the colonoscopy risk reduction of cancer varies all through out the different portions of the intestine. They stated that the malignant cells that are located on the right side or the ascending part are more likely to be missed due to their flat form. Hence, it is not always possible to see all the portions on the right side of the colon during colonoscopy. On the other hand, malignant cells that develop on the left or descending part of the colon are likely easier to located and removed. This is primarily the reasons why some patients who have undergone colonoscopy still has a high risks of cancer.
by: Jen
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