General surgeon: Colonoscopies save lives

Esteban Gambaro

According to local general surgeon, Esteban Gambaro, "It is a test that can detect and determine treatment for colorectal cancer that can save your life."

Of all cancers, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death. In fact, it kills more people than breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. This year, an estimated 148,300 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and about 56,600 will die from the disease.

However, screening for colorectal cancer can significantly reduce the number of deaths associated with this disease.

A colonoscopy is common and effective test in detecting colorectal cancer. During this 20-minute exam, a flexible lighted tube with a light and tiny camera (about the size of your pinky) is used to help doctors look for polyps or any signs of cancer inside the colon.

"A colonoscopy is a simple outpatient procedure that can be performed right here in Kennett at Twin Rivers," Dr. Gambaro explains.. "Even better, the test has very few to no complications."

According to the American Cancer Society, if colon cancer is found and treated early, the survival rate is 90 percent.

But because many people are not getting tested, only 39 percent of cases are diagnosed at this early stage when treatment is so successful.

In many cases colon cancer can be prevented. Colon cancer almost always starts with a small growth called a polyp. If the polyp is found early, doctors can remove it and stop colon cancer before it starts.

"Small polyps are usually not cancerous," says Dr. Gambaro. "However, over time, cells in a polyp can change and become cancerous. The larger a polyp grows the more likely it is to be cancerous, which makes early detection so important."

More than 90 percent of colon cancer cases occur in people age 50 and older. For this reason, the American Cancer Society recommends you start getting tested for the disease at age 50. People who are at increased risk for colon cancer may need to begin testing at a younger age. Some examples of increased risk may include those with a family history of the disease or a history of polyps.

According to the local physician, if everyone age 50 and older were screened regularly, as many as 60 percent of deaths could be prevented from colorectal cancer."

For more information about colorectal screenings, contact Dr. Gambaro at (573) 888-0555.