Only 40 percent of people aged 50 and older get a colonoscopy
PETOSKEY, MI -- Doctors say it's a colonoscopy is a test that can scope out serious risks.
But only 40 percent of people who should be screened are being screened and this cancer is the third leading cause of death.
One out of three people 50 and older have polyps in their colon. Polyps can result to cancer.
But colon cancer is highly preventable with a simple colonoscopy.
"You're always thinking about what's there, what are you going to find, but this is a situation where ignorance is not bliss," said Amy Gillard.
Simply put, ignorance can kill you. Gillard has had family members die from colon cancer.
"There was no question I had to have something done," said Gillard.
She chose to have a colonoscopy done at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital. She said the procedure was simple: she flushed out her system the night before, came in, and Doctor Heidi Huck took a look.
"It's largely preventable if you have a screening," said Gastroenterologist Dr. Heidi Huck.
This time, Amy Gillard didn't have any problems.
But there is a grotesque reality of what you could have going inside your colon without you even knowing. The pictures aren't pretty.
"If you live in America, it's an extremely common cancer, and it's one of the very few we can prevent," said Huck.
Using the colonoscopy scope, she can check the inside of the colon and look for polyps, and if there are polyps detected, she’ll remove them right away.
"It's not about, oh I want to be uncomfortable for a couple hours, it's about knowing what's going on with your body, what's going on with your system, and knowing that it's the right thing to do," said Gillard.
90 percent of colon cancer deaths are preventable.
"I can take someone who would have died an early, unnecessary death and prevent that, it's very gratifying work," said Huck.
Dr. Huck says if you have any reservations, talk to your doctor, because the 20 minute scope could be the difference between living and dying.
March is National Colorectal Awareness Month. 90% of deaths associated with colon cancer can be prevented.
Learn more about colorectal cancer.
Prevent Cancer Foundation
Center for Disease Control
American Cancer Society
