Fewer colonoscopies during pandemic has led to cancer increase, Utah doctors say

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Fewer colonoscopies during pandemic has led to cancer increase, Utah doctors say

By Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted - March 3, 2022 at 6:21 a.m.

SALT LAKE CITY — Colonoscopies have a bad reputation, partially because of the preparation patients need to do before the procedure. But two Utah doctors emphasized Wednesday how they play an important role in preventing later-stage cancer and can save lives.

Dr. Nathan Merriman, an Intermountain Healthcare gastroenterologist, said he has seen a lot of hesitance from patients needing colonoscopy screenings, especially over the last two years. He has seen a 50% drop in screening colonoscopies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Merriman is encouraging people to take time now to schedule screenings or diagnostic colonoscopies and talk to family members about the issue.

In the United States, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of death from cancer, and the third-leading cause for both men and women separately. It's expected to cause over 50,000 deaths in the country this year.

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[piddyprints]

1. I delayed mine by 4 months last year.

When I was due, I called to say I wanted to delay a few months until people could get vaccinated. The lady on the phone told me NO ONE at the office would be getting vaccinated. When I called a few months later, they said everyone had been vaccinated. Well, I don't know which one is true. But when I went for the before-treatment visit, the entire office was either not wearing masks or wearing them under their noses. I mentioned it to the PA and she said not to worry, everyone in the treatment area wears a mask, Covid or not. So I went ahead and did it and everything was fine. It's true, everyone in the treatment area was masked and the driver had to wait out in the car until called.

It's not the most pleasant thing to go through, so just about any excuse will do. I really was weighing the choice of whether I wanted to die from colorectal cancer or Covid and finally decided to just do it. Now I won't be dying of either and I have peace of mind.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. I had one in February 2020, j-u-u-u-s-s-s-t-t-t before we were sent packing to work from home. NT