Doctor clarifies confusion over colonoscopy effectiveness after new study questions it
Some Iowa doctors are expressing concerns over a that questions the effectiveness of colonoscopies.
The study 鈥� the largest of its kind 鈥� was recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine and looked at 84,000 European patients. Only 18% of people invited to get the procedure had a lower risk of getting colorectal cancer, according to the findings. But it鈥檚 important to note: Less than half of the people invited to get a colonoscopy in the study actually got one.
鈥淚 think there is a lot of anxiety about colonoscopies,鈥� said Dr. Ohmar Coughlin, a colorectal surgeon at the Iowa Clinic in Des Moines. The procedure uses a camera to scope the colon and identify abnormal growths.
Researchers found that those who agreed to undergo colonoscopy reduced their risk by 31% compared to those who were not screened. The risk of dying was cut by about 50%.
鈥淥ne of the conclusions of this study was that colonoscopy itself does not prevent death from colon cancer or death from all causes,鈥� Coughlin said. 鈥淭hat is not a reason to avoid a colonoscopy. Certainly, colonoscopy still reduces our risk of developing colon cancer, and I think that鈥檚 an admirable goal.鈥�
Doctors said colonoscopies are a lifesaving procedure. They recommend people start regular colonoscopies at age 45. For people who are at high risk because of family history or other factors, it鈥檚 even younger.
See the recommendations from the and the
