Detect Early Stages of Cancer with a Colonoscopy

What if you could minimize the impacts of or prevent a disease altogether before it even occurs? Regular screening for colorectal cancer can provide greater insight into pre-cancerous conditions and early-stage cancer itself than waiting for obvious symptoms to arise. This allows both patients and providers to act before severe complications occur. While a colorectal cancer diagnosis can be scary for both patients and their families, spotting pre-cancerous conditions and the disease in its earliest stages can spare months or even years of treatment. Learn more about how colorectal cancers are detected and why scheduling an appointment with our Gastroenterologists Aaron Greenspan, MD and Gita Koshy, MD can help ensure many more years with loved ones.

Why Are Colonoscopies Important?

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancers are the second-most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In 2026, an estimated 158,850 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed — 84,160 in men and 73,660 in women. However, the death rate for colorectal cancer has steadily declined in older adults by about 1.5% per year. The American Cancer Society cites more regular screenings as one reason for the decline, noting that more cancers are being detected at earlier, more treatable stages, as well as improvements in cancer treatments over the last several decades.

What Causes Colorectal Cancer?

Numerous factors can increase a patient’s risk for developing colorectal cancer. While some factors can be changed — including weight, type 2 diabetes, diet, smoking, and alcohol use — others are unavoidable. However, determining whether these risk factors apply can help both the patient and their provider to develop a preventive care plan that includes regular screenings. Some of these risk factors include:

Age — The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. While they can develop in younger patients, they’re more commonly detected in patients aged 50 and older.
Racial and ethnic background — According to the American Cancer Society, Native American and Alaska Native populations have the highest rate of colorectal cancer diagnoses in the country, followed by African Americans.
Sex at birth — For reasons that are unclear to researchers, men who are diagnosed with colorectal cancers have a higher chance of death than women, who are more likely to develop right-sided colon cancer.
Cholecystectomy — Patients who have undergone a cholecystectomy (i.e., gallbladder removal) have a mildly higher risk of developing colorectal cancer later in life.
Personal history — Patients who have a personal history of colorectal polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), and radiation to the abdomen or pelvis have a higher chance of developing colorectal cancer.
Family history — A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps also carries a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. In fact, the American Cancer Society reports that 1 in 3 people diagnosed also have family members who were diagnosed.
Inherited syndromes — Several congenital diseases and disorders can increase patients’ risk of colorectal cancer, including Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, MUTYH-associated polyposis, and cystic fibrosis.

What Is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a screening procedure in which a physician uses a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope to examine the colon and rectum. Following a cleansing period that usually lasts about 24 hours, patients are sedated while the doctor inserts the colonoscope and examines the patient for signs of cancer, including colorectal polyps. If polyps are detected, they can be removed by the doctor using special tools inserted through the colonoscope, and the specimens sent to a laboratory for biopsy.

The entire examination usually takes about 30 minutes. Because the patient is sedated, they feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure. Afterward, the doctor will discuss any findings with the patient, who is then taken home by a friend or relative. While numerous screening options are available to patients, a colonoscopy offers unmatched visualization and the ability to address potential problems immediately.

How Often Should I Get a Colonoscopy?

According to scheduling guidelines published by the American Cancer Society, people at average risk of colorectal cancer should start regular screening at age 45, scheduling a colonoscopy every 10 years. People are at average risk if they do not have:

A personal history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps
A family history of colorectal cancer
A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
A confirmed or suspected hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome
A personal history of getting radiation to the abdomen or pelvic area to treat cancer

Those in good health and with a life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue regular screenings through age 75. For those aged 76-85, the decision to be screened should be based on personal preferences, life expectancy, overall health, and prior screening history. Patients aged 85 and older are not required to receive colorectal cancer screenings.

People at increased or high risk of colorectal cancer should be screened more frequently beginning at age 45. Those at increased risk include:

People with one or more family members who have had colorectal cancer
People who have had certain types of colorectal polyps removed
People who have previously had colorectal cancer
People who have had radiation to the abdomen or pelvic area

High-risk individuals include people with inflammatory bowel disease and people known or suspected of having certain genetic syndromes.

Colonoscopies are available from Aaron Greenspan, MD and Gita Koshy, MD at the Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics Gastroenterology Clinic, located in the Medical Office Building at 20733 N. Broad St., Carlinville. To schedule an appointment, call 217-854-3141 ext. 1250.