But some experts are pushing back against the study’s conclusions.
They look for small polyps and other abnormalities which can be removed before the suspicious growths become cancerous.
They compared a group that was invited to undergo a colonoscopy with those who didnt.
letchatnoir / Getty Images
But fewer than half of those “invited” to screen never actually underwent the procedure.
I don’t think this is representative of what happens in the United States.
The risk of colon cancer is about 4% for women and 4.3% for men.
Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell
Of the more than 28,000 people invited to get a colonoscopy, only 11,800or 42%of them did.
The risk of death from that cancer was similar in each group, at about 0.3% in each.
Many of the existing studies on the benefits of colon cancer screening are cohort studies.
Verywell Health / Ellen Lindner
Sedation minimizes patient discomfort and keeps providers from rushing through it.
Additionally, its important that the provider is well-trained in performing colonoscopies.
Adults ages 76 to 85 should speak with their doctor about whether to be screened.
Black Americans experience the highest rate of new colon cancer cases compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
Colonoscopies are invasive, but theyre generally safe.
In the Europe study, no participants experienced a perforation, or tear in the large intestine.
And only 0.13% of people experienced major bleeding.
People wake up with minimal symptoms and they’re surprised that we’re done, Lessne said.
The bottom line, Lessne said, is that screening of any key in is better than none.
That is completely preventable if you have a screening test.
Experts say a colonoscopy is the best way to check for polyps and prevent cancer.
Published online October 9, 2022. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2208375
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for colorectal cancer.
World Cancer Research Fund International.Worldwide cancer data.
2019;7(2):E195-E202.
doi:10.1055/a-0796-6477
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Colorectal cancer: Screening.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.United States cancer statistics: Data visualizations.
American Cancer Society.Insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening.
