I Need to Get a WHAT!?

INEED TO GET A THE What!? EXAM 'long will it take? If the idea of having a colonoscopy embarrasses ITSELF or scares you, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. usually Many Americans skip this vital screening because they are afraid, or don't know what to expect. But takes 30 minutes an outpatient colonoscopy exam is the to an single most important thing you can do hour and to prevent getting colon cancer. patients REMOVING PRECANCEROUS GROWTHS SPOTTED are DURING A COLONOSCOPY CAN CUT THE RISK OF sedated! DYING FROM COLON CANCER IN HALF! FOR MOST PEOPLE, SCREENING IS RECOMMENDED BEGINNING AT AGE 50. ZZzzz Most colorectal cancers begin as a AMERICANS WITH COLORECTAL CANCER POLYP, a small growth of tissue that starts in the lining and grows into the center of the colon or rectum. Doctors can remove polyps DURING THE COLONOSCOPY! MEN 51% ZZZzzz 142,672* WOMEN 49% * 2007 figure from most recent data available ADULTS OVER 50: Being OVERWEIGHT increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Diets high in HAVE BEEN SCREENED FAT and low in 40% FIBER also 60% increase the risk. HAVE NOT BEEN SCREENED THE PROCEDURE: 2JES BEFORE A COLONOSCOPY, patients are put on a clear liquid diet and typically drink a laxative preparation. March 2012 is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Sources: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/Colonand RectumCancer/0verviewGuide/index DURING A COLONOSCOPY, doctors ease a flexible, lighted tube with a video camera on the end inside the colon. Small amounts http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/Colonand RectumCancer/Overview Guide/colorectal- cancer-overview-what-causes of air are puffed in to allow the doctor to see clearly. The colonoscope sends pictures to a TV screen. COMMON FEARS: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/news/ News/removing-polyps-prevents-colon- and-rectal-cancer-deaths • Afraid it's going to hurt • Don't want a doctor or nurse |(COLONOSCOPE http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ colorectal/statistics/ "down there" Copyright ©2012 iTriageHealth.com I All rights reserved www.iTriageHealth.com Designed by InfoMonkeys (THE COLONOSCOPE, ALSO CALLED AN ENDOSCOPE, IS ABOUT THE WIDTH OF AN AVERAGE PEA.) • Afraid of missing too much work • Afraid the doctor might find something