Myth: I don’t need to be tested as I do not have a family history of bowel cancer or stomach problems. 

Most colorectal cancers are found in people without a family history of colorectal cancer. About 75 percent of all new cases of colorectal cancer occur in individuals with no known risk factors for the disease. 
As many as 1 in 3 people who develop colorectal cancer have other family members who have had it. People with a history of colorectal cancer in a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) are at increased risk and may require you to start your screening earlier or do it more frequently.

Myth: I have no symptoms of bowel cancer so I do not need to take a test. 

Screening for colorectal cancer saves lives by detecting early cancers and precancers that are more easily treated than late-stage disease. 

50% fewer people have died of colorectal cancer in recent years due to screening tests. We are lucky to have screening tests for colorectal cancer unlike many other cancers. Since, early colorectal cancer usually has no symptoms, it is important to obtain recommended screenings to detect these cancers. 

Many people are diagnosed with colon cancer when they are feeling just fine. People don’t think they can have colon cancer if they feel OK, but they most certainly can. 

If you’re over 50 and putting off a colonoscopy because you don’t have symptoms, you’re defeating the purpose of the colonoscopy which may save your life.

Myth: Women don’t get colon cancer 

Although slightly more common in men (1 in 21 will develop the disease in his lifetime), women have almost the same risk of developing colon cancer (1 in 23)

According to Bowel Cancer Australia out of 15206 new bowel cancer cases a year 46% were diagnosed in females.

No matter your gender, everyone should be screened for colon cancer starting at age 50. Those at high risk for colon cancer should be screened earlier and more often. 

Myth: Colonoscopies are the only way to detect bowel cancer 

Although a colonoscopy is the most accurate screening method for colon cancer, there are other methods that can detect colon cancer or polyps. 

Colon cancer often results in blood loss, so one alternative is called a immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) which tests for blood in the poo. 

The patient can do the test at home by collecting a stool sample and sending it to a lab. It doesn’t take very long to get the results of the test. 

The iFOBT can detect tiny amounts of blood in poo which may be a sign of cancer or polyps.

Myth: Colonoscopy is painful

The colonoscopy procedure is not painful. Sedation is usually used during the procedure to minimize any discomfort. Discomfort is usually caused by the gas inserted into the colon to visualize the inner lining of the bowel. 

Mostly the gas used is Carbon Dioxide which has been shown to reduce pain in colonoscopy. 

The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes. Due to the sedation, most patients don’t even remember it. 
The part that generates the most complaints from patients is the process the day before the colonoscopy. The patient has to drink a product to cleanse the colon, which results in several bowel movements. 

After the procedure, patients can experience some extra gas or a bloated feeling for a couple days.

Myth: Colonoscopy has a large risk of complications

There are very few complications associated with colonoscopies, and they occur quite rarely.

About 1 in 1000 patients experience complications. Overall risk of routine colonoscopy is as low as 1.6% , but the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is 4-5%. 

In fact, you are more likely to get colon cancer than experience complications after a colonoscopy.

Myth: I can’t get bowel cancer before I turn 50 

Because the guidelines recommend that most people start screening at age 50, some assume that this group of cancers simply does not occur in younger adults.

While it is still uncommon, the rate is rising in the younger population. 

In Australia 11% of colorectal cancer diagnoses are in people under age 50. 

Why the increase? No one knows, but It is possible that changes in diet or shifts in the kinds of bacteria living in our guts are having an effect.

Myth: Colon cancer is a death sentence 

This is simply not true. The majority of patients diagnosed with colon cancer can be treated and will go on to live normal lives. 

As with most types of cancer, colon cancer advances in stages. The earlier it is caught, the more likely it is treatable. 

Patients with stage I colon cancer have a 92% 5 year survival rate, which compares closely to the survival rates of people without the cancer. it means that people who have that cancer are, on average, about 92% as likely as people who do not have that cancer to live for at least five years after being diagnosed.

Many colon cancers can be treated with a relatively common surgical procedure that is performed using an incision no larger than 3 inches.

Even stage IV colon cancer often have several treatment options. 

So, if you’ve been procrastinating, now is a good time to start screening.