With technology starting to boost continuously, there are more and more medical procedures introduced to help make people experiencing some health issues feel better. These procedures certainly include the process of colonoscopy.
During the process of colonoscopy, the entire colon and the rectum of a patient is being examined through the use of a colonoscope. A coloscope is a thin instrument like tube that holds a tiny camera. The instrument is being inserted into the patient’s colon through his anus. This helps visual diagnosis for colorectal cancer, and the biopsy and probably removal of suspicious lesion.
A colonoscopy has been regarded as the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. Even though there no randomized control trial that quantifies the advantages due to colonoscopy screening, still it is believed that regular colonoscopy screening could lessen the risk of colorectal cancer development. It can reduce its risk for as much as 60% up to 80%.
However, even if this medical procedure is said to help patients, it is important to be aware of the advantages and the disadvantages of undergoing it first before jumping into it. Weighing in the colonoscopy pros and cons is indeed important. So, if you are one of these people, looking at the following details should be helpful.
The Pros of Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy has been introduced due to the many uses and purposes it intends to play. Some of the advantages of using colonoscopy include the following:
A colonoscopy is a crucial surveillance and diagnostic procedure not only for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer, yet also with other serious gastrointestinal diseases, which include inflammatory bowel disease.
A screening through colonoscopy does not only enable early discover of cancer within the rectum and the colon, but it also help with the removal of polyps. Polyps are known as cancer precursors. These cancer precursors have the capability to develop in size making it become malignant once left alone. Any detected polyp during the colonoscopy may be eradicated through the process known as polypectomy. Its removal will then prevent it from turning into cancer.
The Cons of Colonoscopy
However, even with the several advantages a colonoscopy can provide, just like other forms of medical treatments, it also comes with some disadvantages. These disadvantages primarily include the following:
1. A colonoscopy can be an invasive and uncomfortable procedure. According to experts, patients to undergo the procedure are usually provided with a sleep medicine. The application of the medicine for sleeping might result in missing one or more days of work. In addition, a patient who took this medicine will usually require assistance from someone who will drive him home after conducting the procedure.
2. The preparation for colonoscopy needs “cleaning of the bowel” through the special laxatives and diet for one day before a procedure.
3. With colonoscopy, there are a number of associated complications. These complications may include bleeding, perforation and death. This is according to experts.
4. The most typical complication associated with the procedure is known to be perforation that takes place about once in each 1000 procedures. In fact, a case death occurs in each 12,500 procedures.
Therefore, knowing about the different advantages and disadvantages of using colonoscopy, you may then make your stand with it.
