An Ounce of Prevention - Worth the Prep

By Michael Del Rosario, M.D.

Director, Division of Colorectal Surgery at AtlantiCare

Is it possible that when Benjamin Franklin proclaimed in 1736, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, he was referring to colonoscopy and screening for colon cancer? Actually, he was advising Philadelphians of the importance of preventing fires.

I was asked to write a blog for March, colorectal cancer awareness month. It took me quite a while to get it down on paper. I don’t know why. It’s a topic I have dealt with daily for many years.

Maybe it’s because it’s easier in the office where I’m usually discussing it in conversation, face to face, with my patient. More often, it is someone who is asking about screening, or someone who has just been diagnosed with colon cancer and is facing surgery.

I have been both the doctor performing the colonoscopy and the patient undergoing the colonoscopy. What I see in the office every month motivated me to undergo screening colonoscopy earlier than at the recommended age because of unexplained symptoms.

The procedure? It generally takes 10-15 minutes. It’s done under light sedation and you’re in a twilight sleep. The worst part? It is the night before the procedure. You take “a prep”, which is basically strong laxatives to make you move your bowels so that we have a clear view of your colon through the colonoscope.

Don’t go far from a toilet on prep night, and if you do, bring toilet paper and extra underwear.

So what can I impart to you, the motivated individual who might stumble upon this blog, seeking wisdom and knowledge that might improve your overall health and survival?

Today, colon cancer is among the top 3 causes of cancer death in men and women in the United States. In people under 50, it is the number one cause of cancer death.

Screening, or the process of looking for colon cancer, in average risk individuals, begins at the age of 45 years.

You could have been an Olympic athlete who is a vegetarian and never smoked or drank a day in your life, and you would still be at risk for colon cancer by virtue of age. You would still need your colonoscopy at age 45.

Other factors could lead your doctor to recommend you have a colonoscopy earlier. These include a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or unexplained symptoms.

We’re seeing an increase in the number of patients with advanced colon cancer. We know that this is in part because people put off screenings during the pandemic.

Colon cancer is both preventable and treatable.

If we find small polyps in your colon, we can remove them and prevent them from becoming cancer. This is the ounce.

If the polyps are too large for us to remove them or they have transformed into cancer, then you will need surgery and possibly chemotherapy. This is the pound.

Franklin’s adage applies to your health today more than 285 years later.

He was talking about preventing fires. Help us light a fire to spark awareness about the importance of colon cancer screenings.

Talk with your healthcare provider. Have age-appropriate screenings.

We are here to help you with every ounce of prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Learn more by visiting our website.