Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy: the screening that could save your life

Say the word "colonoscopy" and the initial reaction is "you want to put a camera where?!" But for those who have had the procedure, the reaction is quite different.

"When it’s over, most patients say ‘that was it?’" says Eva Doiron, clinical director at the Pasadena Endoscopy Center, the facility most HMF patients visit. "They wonder why they were so concerned."

According to David Cantor, M.D., a gastroenterologist who divides his time between one of HMF’s Pasadena offices and the Pasadena Endoscopy Center, colonoscopy technology has been in use since 1965.

"The new generation instruments include a tiny camera chip that transmits what it sees to a color monitor. We can save the file on the computer for later review or to show other doctors," says Dr. Cantor.

Thanks to these high-tech tools, the average colonoscopy takes just 30 minutes, although you need to allow approximately two hours for your appointment and invest a little effort in "cleaning out your pipes" beforehand.

When your HMF doctor tells you it’s time for a colonoscopy, you’ll be asked to make the arrangements with the gastroenterologist’s office. You may be asked to come in for a consultation first or simply scheduled for the procedure.

In either case, you’ll get written instructions for preparing: the day before the procedure you’ll restrict your diet to clear liquids and take a laxative to make sure all solid waste is eliminated from your digestive tract. The clearer the tract, the easier it is for your doctor to visualize any problem areas.

When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll fill out some paperwork, change into a gown, lie on a gurney and let the staff take your blood pressure and other readings. There is no need for general anesthesia—you’ll get just the right amount of medication to make you feel drowsy and relaxed.

Next, you’ll be wheeled from the preparation area into a fully equipped endoscopy suite staffed by your gastroenterologist and clinical technician. Not only does the slim, ultra-flexible tube allow viewing of your colon, your doctor can also biopsy polyps, if needed. The goal is to find polyps and little cancers before they cause symptoms. Early detection increases the odds of successful treatment.

Once it’s over you’re moved to the recovery area. When you’re ready, you can change back into your clothes and wait for your ride home. (You’ll be awake, but too drowsy to drive.)

Juliet Esteban, an admissions coordinator at the Pasadena Endoscopy Center, says the facility has a finely tuned system for making the experience as stress free as possible for the patient. "We’ve even had patients call afterwards to say how impressed they were with the attention and care, " she says. "We’re just doing our jobs, but it’s nice to get compliments."

Colorectal cancer prevention was front-page news in 2000 when journalist Katie Couric’s colonoscopy was broadcast live on NBC. Since then, media attention has waned but not disappeared.

The April 4, 2005 issue of People magazine explained how actress Sandra Bullock’s own risk factors led her to her first screening at age 40. She and her younger sister scheduled their procedures for the same day and enjoyed a post-colonoscopy shopping spree. While shopping is one option, "most patients look forward to a good meal!" admits one Pasadena Endoscopy Center staff member.

Once your HMF doctor requests a colonoscopy, resist the urge to put it off or keep rescheduling. Just do it and you’ll find yourself saying those three little words: "That was it?"