The little-discussed risks and side effects of colonoscopy screening and why, in some cases, people would do best to avoid them. If you must have one, how to minimize the dangers as much as possible and a safe alternative to consider as a logical middle ground.
March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month each year. At that time, the usual health experts trot out on TV and print media to urge us all to get a colonoscopy. The inherent risks of this reviled procedure especially for those over age 50 are usually conveniently glossed over in favor of an aggressive push about the benefits.
That “kick in the butt” might initially sound like a good idea. However, according to the Annals of Internal Medicine, the rate of serious complications from colonoscopy screening is ten times higher than any other commonly used cancer-screening test.
According to Konstantin Monastyrky, author of Fiber Menace:
The odds of being killed or injured by the side effects of colonoscopy may exceed your odds of getting colorectal cancer in the first place.
He further points out that the procedure is far from infallible. It often fails to catch colorectal cancer in the first place. In addition, it can cause, contribute to or accelerate the growth of colorectal and other cancers.
Let’s go into each of these colonoscopy risks in detail.
Dysbiosis
Intestinal flora is disrupted by a colonoscopy because the procedure requires a thorough washing out of the large intestine with large doses of synthetic laxatives. This is followed by bowel irrigation with polyethylene glycol and hypertonic electrolytes.
These substances kill bacteria, both good and bad just like antibiotics. The gut dysbiosis that inevitably follows contributes to irregularity, constipation, colitis, IBS, Crohn’s, and other diseases known to increase colon cancer risk. Dysbiosis also contributes to a wide range of other autoimmune health problems.
Worsening of Stool Patterns
Those already affected by hemorrhoids, chronic constipation, IBS, or diverticulosis may find these conditions become worse after colonoscopy.
Complications
Serious complications, such as colon perforation, occur in five out of every one thousand colonoscopies.
The risks of delayed bleeding, infection, and ulceration are even higher. Unfortunately, reporting of these complications in connection with colonoscopy is rare.
Increased Risks of Stroke, Heart Attack, and Pulmonary Embolisms
Dangerous blood clotting is a side effect of anesthesia, particularly among patients with diabetes or heart disease.
Infections
Procedures performed under anesthesia are associated with an increased risk of serious infections. This includes pneumonia or pyelonephritis.
False Sense of Security
Doctors miss from 15-27 percent of polyps, including six percent of large tumors. The New England Journal of Medicine even reported that some doctors blast through the colonoscopy so fast they miss cancer in full bloom!
Indeed, the desire for speed is why most colonoscopies today are done under anesthesia. Might there be a profit motive? Some doctors do 60 colonoscopies per day at an average cost of $1,500 to $2000 each. You do the math.
Colonoscopy Alternative
Many people do not realize that you can order an at-home colorectal screening kit to avoid most colonoscopies. They are inexpensive, safe, and convenient. Blood, polyps, and other abnormalities are quickly detected by using a simple stool sample. Results are available fast with lab accurate results.
If you have a positive result from one of these home tests, then go get a colonoscopy. But, in most cases, you will get a negative result, saving you the discomfort and risks of the actual colorectal screening.
Ways to Manage Colonoscopy Risks
Here are a few suggestions about how to increase the level of safety and accuracy in the screening for colon cancer.
- Those with a family history of colon cancer or otherwise at high risk probably should do a colonoscopy. But it is best to request to have it done without general anesthesia. That’s where the majority of the risks are. Some doctors offer inhalation sedation as a safer alternative. Doctors who prefer knocking the patient out use this approach so they can ‘jam’ through the colon much faster. Billing for anesthesiology increases revenues for the hospital too.
- Doing radiography first is pointless. The reason? If they find some polyps, you will still need to have a colonoscopy. Besides, you don’t want all that huge exposure to ionizing radiation.
- If you do decide to go through with a colonoscopy, at least prepare with clear broth you make yourself. Commercial brands at the store are not nutritious and contain unhealthy additives and MSG. Exposure to these chemicals can potentially make digestive issues worse and recovery more difficult.
- After the colonoscopy, follow this protocol to rebuild gut flora. It is the same process recommended by experts after a round of antibiotics.
I am a male, 58, at my doctors recommendation I went on for a colonoscopy today. It was to be an office visit . I prepped myself by not eating solids for 36 hours and taking stuff that cleaned me out fully. Not fun but figured it was worth the trouble to get screened as everyone over 50 needs to be screened. I had a stroke the year prior , was extremely lucky it did no discernible damage but apparently my primary dr and the surgeon did not communicate too well and I was informed that due to my stroke I would need to have the procedure performed in a hospital. They apologized for the mess up , told me the hospital could shoe horn me in at the end of the day if I wanted to still have it.
I stopped and thought . I was kind of miffed that this was overlooked until the 11 th hour but mistakes happen . My experience in life has taught me that very often major problems are caused by small problems which escalate in to huge problems. I envisioned the hospital dr and anesthesiologist doing an end of their day procedure on me. They would be tired, rushing a bit to get home, maybe low on blood sugar as they would be working in to dinner time . All it would take is one mistake and I could be prone for infections or complications from the anesthesia which is the main worry why they required this kind of procedure be performed in a hospital so that I could be rushed in to ER if I should have another stroke.
So I thought it through as best I could under the duress of time and having gone through the long prep work already. I remembered a basic rule given to medical students , first, do no harm .
I decided to delay the procedure. Something in my gut, no pun intended , just didn’t seem right . I came home and for the first time did some independent research on colonoscopies and discovered that there are all kinds of articles denouncing the procedure
I will now live with whatever ,if any increased risk there is of dying of this particular malady. Seems as though the test leaves a person at risk of several other problems which when combined, to my mind, make the risk of the procedure untenable .
There are many other healthier ways to take care of the colon (exclude refined carbs (sugars and starches) from the diet, avoid highly processed and chemically laden foods in general, medical prescriptions, mercury/thallium laden vaccines, mercury tooth fillings, “recreational” drugs, smoking (anything) etc) than risking tearing the colon lining with a boroscope, dangers of anesthesia, x-rays (are cancer causing – period) – more people die of colonoscopy related procedures and iatrogenic complications than colon cancer every year. You have to do the research.
Thank you to all who share their experiences and insights. Thank you for posting this site. colonoscopy has been so highly praised that if you don’t get one, you are risking your life. One is also risking one’s life, not by colon cancer, but by the potential dangers due to errors and mishaps possibly committed during the procedure. THANKS FOR POSTING THIS SITE.
General anesthesia is a risk ‘Period’…..Regardless of the procedure. I am a 56 year old female and I have had 3 colonoscopy procedures, my first at the age of 44. In one procedure I had multiple (10+) polyps removed. I have never endured any complications or after effects whatsoever. My Maternal Grandfather died in 1973, at the age of 58, from colon cancer. I have multiple family members that undergo this procedure annually with no complications. I always thought the ‘prep’ beforehand was the worst of it. Everyone should use their own judgment. Do research and don’t draw a conclusion from one article. This procedure could very well Save Your Life!
I’m glad to have read this information my primary doctor recommended I get a colonoscopy screening due to I just turned 50 years old but there is absolutely nothing wrong with my stomach, bowel movements, Etc… I called the doctor who’s doing the procedure and asked a few questions, the nurse kept going around it not giving me straight answers and my main concern was, Will I come out of this okay or develop symptoms that I’ve never had ??? I’m very healthy, I do not consume meat, I have a wonderful vowels, no stomach problems this article is really making me change my mind and not continue with the procedure, ir will be horrible to develop health issues when I feel strong and healthy at my age.
I’m a 56yr.old male and have never had a colonoscopy…I have emphysema, just recently got out of hospital after a long stay and now an out patient going to respiratory rehab, physical and occupational therapy, I was admitted to hospital after going to emergency do to concerns of labored breathing,all I recall was making the decision to go…I awoke two weeks later…being told I’d gotten RSV virus then pneumonia on top, my lungs failed so I was intubated…from Dec.15 thru Dec.24th…did not begin to get water nor food til Dec.27th…did not begin rehab till Jan.and now this colonoscopy…is it safe to do so ?
I am 45 years old having a chronic constipation should I do the colonoscopy please respond back thanks
I am a 59 year old female,I had a colostomy and endoscopy,a year ago,why did it take me slowly 60 to 90 days after having the procedures before I fully got all my memory and balance back.my balance was so off for the first 30 that every time I got up I had to whole on to something for my first few steps to keep from falling,and than the rest once I regain my balance ,I still would find myself sometimes throughout the day almost tripling over my on feet,and slurred speech at times. After that happened, I got to thinking back about colostomies I had in the pass caused me to be light headed and impaired judgment,days after, so is it a reaction to the bowel prep,colostomy or the seductive. The same thing happened to my mother two years ago after her colostomy and she also had a seizer for the first time about a week after her colostomy .i was due for another upper endoscopy this pass December but I am afraid because I don’t want to have to go through memory loss and impaired balance for 60-90 days again.
What about age? I am a 73 year old male, I have had a near fatal heart attack, asystole for 5 minutes, 20 years ago. I participated in a cancer screening by my provider Kaiser, the test came back positive for “hidden
blood” in the stool. Now Kaiser is pushing me to have a colonoscopy I am
Uneasy about possible perforation of the bowel and possible death.
What is your opinion of someone of my age and history having a colonoscopy?
I liked when you said that having a colonoscopy done without anesthesia can help you reduce the risks that it brings. It makes sense that when you get a procedure like this done you need to ask your doctor about any safety measures you can take to make it easier. It’s important to remember that there is a greater good to a procedure like this and that your health is worth it.