From the Spring 2010 StayHealthy publication 
Turning 50? The Time is Now.
Your timing
Your first pair of reading glasses. Your first gray hair. Your first colonoscopy? That’s right, according to Stephen Paul, MD, a gastroenterologist with Digestive Healthcare Associates. “Healthy people with an average risk should have a colonoscopy every 10 years, beginning at age 50,” he said.
Those with an added risk, such as a close relative with colon disease, should begin having regular colonoscopies even sooner. “If you have colon disease in your family, you should be screened 10 years prior to your relative’s onset. So, if your mother was diagnosed with colon disease at 50, then you should have your first colonoscopy at 40,” he said.
Finding and Preventing Cancer
Colonoscopies are key to diagnosing and even preventing colorectal cancer. A colonoscope is able to visualize the entire length of your colon from the inside, making it possible to find small growths of tissue – called polyps – that can lead to cancer. Not counting skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The risk of a person having colorectal cancer in their lifetime is about 1 in 19.
“Finding polyps is fairly common,” said Paul, estimating that about one–third of all colonoscopies reveal polyps. While it’s important to remove all polyps, the majority of polyps are not cancerous. “In fact, through early detection, colon cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. With early screening, we can remove polyps and stop cancer before it even gets started,” said Paul.
A look inside
During a colonoscopy, your doctor uses a thin (about the thickness of a finger), flexible, hollow, lighted tube that has a tiny video camera attached. As tiny amounts of air are puffed into the colon to keep it open, the colonoscope is able to send pictures to a screen for the doctor to view. The exam itself takes about 30 minutes. Patients are usually given medicine to help them relax and sleep during the procedure.
Symptoms to report 
Early detection of colon disease is critical as many polyps and cancers of the colorectal area do not produce symptoms until they are fairly large. However, the most common symptom is bleeding with bowel movements.
Blood may be seen in the stool, toilet water, or on the toilet tissue. Changes in bowel habits, such as new problems with persistent diarrhea or constipation may occur. The stool may look more narrow than usual. Abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss may also be symptoms as the disease progresses. Report any of these symptoms to your doctor.
Preventing colorectal cancer
Recent research suggests that a high fiber, low-fat diet plays a role in prevention as fiber helps move waste through the colon and may even protect cells in the lining of the colon from developing into polyps. An average adult should consume at least 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily, equal to about five half-cup servings of fruits and vegetables. Staying active and drinking at least eight full glasses (eight ounces each) of non-caffeinated fluid daily also is good for digestive health.
“High fiber can lower your cholesterol, improve your colon health, and help control your weight,” said Paul. According to Paul, people who eat diets higher in fiber tend to eat less because they feel satisfied faster, curbing their appetite. And, better colon health means less colon cancer, diverticular disease, and other complications.
High Fiber Foods
- 1 Medium Artichoke = 10.3 grams
- 1 Cup Cooked Oatmeal = 4 grams
- 1 Cup Cooked Sweet Corn = 4.6 grams
- 1 Medium Apple = 4.4 grams
- 1 Cup Cooked Black Beans = 15 grams
- 1 ounce Almonds = 3.3 grams