March 17, 2025 • 9 mins
iHeartRadio Communities - Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Intermountain Health
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm Aabi Bonel, host of Feedback with iHeartRadio in
Salt Lake City marches National colon Cancer Awareness Month. It's
a pleasure to welcome Emily Van Cohman, a gastro enterology
specialist and nurse practitioner with Intermountain Health, to the studio now, Emily.
Colo Rectal cancer is the second most common cancer and
(00:21):
third leading cause of cancer related to deaths in men
and women under the age of fifty, but we've seen
an alarming rate of younger people now being diagnosed. This
was considered an older person's disease in the past. Not anymore,
is it.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
No. We are seeing younger and younger people being diagnosed
with colorectal cancer and that is a reason why we've
changed the screening from age fifty to age forty five
for both men and women.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Do we have any idea why that is? Is it
connected to diet, lack of exercise?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
All of those things are factors. Family history is a
huge reason, diet, exercise, all of those things can play
a big factor.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
But a screening is essential. These screenings can actually diagnose
polyps and if you catch them early enough, that's before
they turn cancerous. This is why just a straightforward colonoscopy
is so critical.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yes, ninety percent of colon cancer is curable and treated
when caught early, so it has amazing benefits to keeping
us all safe from cancer.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Well, I know that I had a routine colonoscopy and
I was diagnosed with cancer, which was quite a shot
because I didn't really fall into all of the parameters
of high risk. I was extremely fortunate quick action was taken.
I had some surgery and that was five years ago.
Five years plus. It's ninety percent curable if we catch
it early. A lot of people are a bit squeamish
(01:50):
about the whole process. I'm going to say I was,
it's so straightforward, and again it will save your life
if they find a polyp.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Yes, totally. I know a lot of people. People don't
like the idea of a colonoscopy. You know, there's a
day off work. But I try to put a positive
spin on it, right, Like, prepping for a colonoscopy is
so much easier than having colon cancer, and it's a
small sacrifice to make to keep your health in check.
It's part of what we call healthcare maintenance. Just like
(02:20):
getting a mammogram is important. A colonoscopy is right there
with it, and a.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Lot of people, I think, think it's quite a big ordeal.
It really isn't. It's just the prep the night or
afternoon before, and you know you're close to the privacy
of your own bathroom, and then when you arrive the
next morning. I always say, well, now it's your job,
right and I go for a nice little nap. Yes,
it's Most people do go under sedation. You have no idea.
(02:47):
The staff are fabulous at inter Mountain That's where I've gone,
and then fifteen minutes later, unless they detect something and
might have to do a little bit more work in there,
you know you're rallying around and you're ready for a
snack and a drink.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
That's right, I say. The hard work is at home,
and by the time you get to your procedure room
it is smooth sailing. Most people say, oh, I had
the best nap of my life. That was, you know,
so nice, And I will say too, this is a procedure,
you know, it's not surgery. I think a lot of people,
because we're screening younger and younger, they haven't undergone general
(03:20):
or anesthesia before surgery. And this is not a surgery.
It's just we call it conscious sedation where we give
you one medication. It's just like taking a nap and
you wake up and you are lucid almost immediately and
can continue on with your day. Of course, you can't
drive the rest of the day, and there are certain
restrictions post procedure, but it's not like surgery, and it's
(03:43):
very easy to do if.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
You don't have any polyps or there are no concerns.
What is the recommendation then, is it every ten years
or less.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Or yeah, So if you have a you know, there's
lots of guidelines that your doctor will discuss with you.
But if you have you know, what we consider a
clean colonoscopy, you can go ten years till your next screening,
which is great.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Now let's talk about the other options for screening. Colonoscopies
are the gold standard. You know, you can detect the
smallest polyp even if it's hiding under a flap of
skin in there in that and testin. But there are
also other tests that you can do in the privacy
of your own home which are really really convenient, which
weren't available a few years ago, and they are available
(04:25):
at Intero Mountain. Yes.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
So there's two tests that you can do. The one
is called the FIT test. It's a fecal immuno chemical test,
and what this is is, you know, you provide a
stool sample and it detects microscopic blood which is kind
of a precursor of cancer, and that is about eighty
percent sensitive to colon cancer. And then there's the colon
guard which is a combination of blood testing in the
(04:51):
in the stool with DNA. It kind of detects the
cells that are shut it off from pre cancerous or
cancerous polyps and that's about ninety percent sense. Those are
a two step test because if they come back positive,
it will require a colonoscopy. But you know, we say
the best test for people to do is the one
that is acceptable to them and that they can complete,
(05:14):
knowing that the kolonoscopy is the gold standard. These are
great options if you know someone isn't able to do
the kolonoscopy.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
And Emily, these kits are available. People can go online
and order them through you.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, they just come in the mail. You can do
it at your house and then mail it back. So
it's really really simple.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
What's the advice to somebody in their twenties or thirties
if they have a family history. I would imagine the
recommendation is taught to your doctor, Yes, and seek a screening.
It will save your life. It saved mine. Yes.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
So if you have a first degree relative with colon
cancer or what we call we'll just call it an
advanced pollup. First degree is parents, siblings, children, even or
if you have two first degree relatives with advanced polyps
or cancer, you should be screened ten years earlier, at
the youngest age that they were screened or diagnosed. The
(06:06):
takeaway here is that you may need to be screened
earlier than forty five, even into your thirties, and to
pay attention to your body. If you notice unintentional weight loss,
blood in your stool is a big one, night sweats,
a change in your habits, any of those things are combiny. Fatigue, yes, tiredness.
(06:26):
Any combination of those things warrants you know, getting a
call on us to be or at least letting your
doctor know.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
It can be the silent killer though yes, referred to
as that. In my case, again, I have no symptoms.
So this is why you do have to be vigilant
lifestyle changes. We can help ourselves, can't we by doing
a few little alterations in our life to decrease the risk.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Yeah, so diet is a huge part. Ultra processed foods
red meats are known to have an increase in colon cancer.
Lifestyle people who are sedentary, we know that getting out
and exercising and avoiding alcohol and tobacco are huge factors.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
The recommended age for the colonoscopy, as we've mentioned, has
been lowered to forty five. Has it really taken the
medical profession by surprise seeing these younger candidates coming in
and finding these polyps, especially in the thirties. We would
never have expected that in the past.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Yeah, that is why we lowered the age because evidence
and you know also expert opinion. You know, we do
this every day. We are seeing these polyps in younger
and younger people, and combined with research and evidence, we
have seen. You know what, waiting until fifty is too
late for many people because by the time you have symptoms,
you already have cancer.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
A colonoscopy screening emily is considered preventative. Most health insurance
plans will cover this, so don't be worried about receiving
a bill. If you have a health plan and you
haven't sought a screening in the past, this is considered
preventative care.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Yes, this is preventative medicine, health care maintenance. We call it.
Just like a mammogram is covered, a screening, colonoscopy is
covered because it's important to all of us that you
stay healthy to begin with. I think it's so amazing
all of the research that's being done on cancer cures,
but I say, let's not have cancer at all. Ultimately,
(08:19):
the best test is the one that you can complete
and the one that is going to be feasible for
you to go through with. If you have questions, I
would just say to talk to your doctor sooner than later.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
It's not just a family history of colon cancer. That
can be other symptoms, medical conditions that you have that
could actually lead to some of these warning signs. And
what are those, Emily.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Yeah, inflammatory bow disease is a big one. If you
have crones or ul sort of colitis, those are big reasons.
There are other genetic you know, things that people have
maybe Lynch syndrome or other genetic mutations that can cause
you to be more prone to cancer, not only colon cancer,
but many other cancers too that you need to be
aware of, and those screenings occur much more frequently and
(09:03):
at a younger age.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Thanks Emily for more information and to book your colonoscopy.
Go to Intermountainhealthcare dot org slash colonoscopy. Again, my thanks
to Emily Vancohman with Intermountain Health for shedding light on
this critical screening. Make sure you go and get one.
I'm Abbie Bonel. Thanks for listening to feedback produced by iHeartRadio.
(09:25):
We'll see you next time.
Hi, I'm Aabi Bonel, host of Feedback with iHeartRadio in
Salt Lake City marches National colon Cancer Awareness Month. It's
a pleasure to welcome Emily Van Cohman, a gastro enterology
specialist and nurse practitioner with Intermountain Health, to the studio now, Emily.
Colo Rectal cancer is the second most common cancer and
(00:21):
third leading cause of cancer related to deaths in men
and women under the age of fifty, but we've seen
an alarming rate of younger people now being diagnosed. This
was considered an older person's disease in the past. Not anymore,
is it.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
No. We are seeing younger and younger people being diagnosed
with colorectal cancer and that is a reason why we've
changed the screening from age fifty to age forty five
for both men and women.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Do we have any idea why that is? Is it
connected to diet, lack of exercise?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
All of those things are factors. Family history is a
huge reason, diet, exercise, all of those things can play
a big factor.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
But a screening is essential. These screenings can actually diagnose
polyps and if you catch them early enough, that's before
they turn cancerous. This is why just a straightforward colonoscopy
is so critical.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yes, ninety percent of colon cancer is curable and treated
when caught early, so it has amazing benefits to keeping
us all safe from cancer.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Well, I know that I had a routine colonoscopy and
I was diagnosed with cancer, which was quite a shot
because I didn't really fall into all of the parameters
of high risk. I was extremely fortunate quick action was taken.
I had some surgery and that was five years ago.
Five years plus. It's ninety percent curable if we catch
it early. A lot of people are a bit squeamish
(01:50):
about the whole process. I'm going to say I was,
it's so straightforward, and again it will save your life
if they find a polyp.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Yes, totally. I know a lot of people. People don't
like the idea of a colonoscopy. You know, there's a
day off work. But I try to put a positive
spin on it, right, Like, prepping for a colonoscopy is
so much easier than having colon cancer, and it's a
small sacrifice to make to keep your health in check.
It's part of what we call healthcare maintenance. Just like
(02:20):
getting a mammogram is important. A colonoscopy is right there
with it, and a.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Lot of people, I think, think it's quite a big ordeal.
It really isn't. It's just the prep the night or
afternoon before, and you know you're close to the privacy
of your own bathroom, and then when you arrive the
next morning. I always say, well, now it's your job,
right and I go for a nice little nap. Yes,
it's Most people do go under sedation. You have no idea.
(02:47):
The staff are fabulous at inter Mountain That's where I've gone,
and then fifteen minutes later, unless they detect something and
might have to do a little bit more work in there,
you know you're rallying around and you're ready for a
snack and a drink.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
That's right, I say. The hard work is at home,
and by the time you get to your procedure room
it is smooth sailing. Most people say, oh, I had
the best nap of my life. That was, you know,
so nice, And I will say too, this is a procedure,
you know, it's not surgery. I think a lot of people,
because we're screening younger and younger, they haven't undergone general
(03:20):
or anesthesia before surgery. And this is not a surgery.
It's just we call it conscious sedation where we give
you one medication. It's just like taking a nap and
you wake up and you are lucid almost immediately and
can continue on with your day. Of course, you can't
drive the rest of the day, and there are certain
restrictions post procedure, but it's not like surgery, and it's
(03:43):
very easy to do if.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
You don't have any polyps or there are no concerns.
What is the recommendation then, is it every ten years
or less.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Or yeah, So if you have a you know, there's
lots of guidelines that your doctor will discuss with you.
But if you have you know, what we consider a
clean colonoscopy, you can go ten years till your next screening,
which is great.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Now let's talk about the other options for screening. Colonoscopies
are the gold standard. You know, you can detect the
smallest polyp even if it's hiding under a flap of
skin in there in that and testin. But there are
also other tests that you can do in the privacy
of your own home which are really really convenient, which
weren't available a few years ago, and they are available
(04:25):
at Intero Mountain. Yes.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
So there's two tests that you can do. The one
is called the FIT test. It's a fecal immuno chemical test,
and what this is is, you know, you provide a
stool sample and it detects microscopic blood which is kind
of a precursor of cancer, and that is about eighty
percent sensitive to colon cancer. And then there's the colon
guard which is a combination of blood testing in the
(04:51):
in the stool with DNA. It kind of detects the
cells that are shut it off from pre cancerous or
cancerous polyps and that's about ninety percent sense. Those are
a two step test because if they come back positive,
it will require a colonoscopy. But you know, we say
the best test for people to do is the one
that is acceptable to them and that they can complete,
(05:14):
knowing that the kolonoscopy is the gold standard. These are
great options if you know someone isn't able to do
the kolonoscopy.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
And Emily, these kits are available. People can go online
and order them through you.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, they just come in the mail. You can do
it at your house and then mail it back. So
it's really really simple.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
What's the advice to somebody in their twenties or thirties
if they have a family history. I would imagine the
recommendation is taught to your doctor, Yes, and seek a screening.
It will save your life. It saved mine. Yes.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
So if you have a first degree relative with colon
cancer or what we call we'll just call it an
advanced pollup. First degree is parents, siblings, children, even or
if you have two first degree relatives with advanced polyps
or cancer, you should be screened ten years earlier, at
the youngest age that they were screened or diagnosed. The
(06:06):
takeaway here is that you may need to be screened
earlier than forty five, even into your thirties, and to
pay attention to your body. If you notice unintentional weight loss,
blood in your stool is a big one, night sweats,
a change in your habits, any of those things are combiny. Fatigue, yes, tiredness.
(06:26):
Any combination of those things warrants you know, getting a
call on us to be or at least letting your
doctor know.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
It can be the silent killer though yes, referred to
as that. In my case, again, I have no symptoms.
So this is why you do have to be vigilant
lifestyle changes. We can help ourselves, can't we by doing
a few little alterations in our life to decrease the risk.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Yeah, so diet is a huge part. Ultra processed foods
red meats are known to have an increase in colon cancer.
Lifestyle people who are sedentary, we know that getting out
and exercising and avoiding alcohol and tobacco are huge factors.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
The recommended age for the colonoscopy, as we've mentioned, has
been lowered to forty five. Has it really taken the
medical profession by surprise seeing these younger candidates coming in
and finding these polyps, especially in the thirties. We would
never have expected that in the past.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Yeah, that is why we lowered the age because evidence
and you know also expert opinion. You know, we do
this every day. We are seeing these polyps in younger
and younger people, and combined with research and evidence, we
have seen. You know what, waiting until fifty is too
late for many people because by the time you have symptoms,
you already have cancer.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
A colonoscopy screening emily is considered preventative. Most health insurance
plans will cover this, so don't be worried about receiving
a bill. If you have a health plan and you
haven't sought a screening in the past, this is considered
preventative care.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Yes, this is preventative medicine, health care maintenance. We call it.
Just like a mammogram is covered, a screening, colonoscopy is
covered because it's important to all of us that you
stay healthy to begin with. I think it's so amazing
all of the research that's being done on cancer cures,
but I say, let's not have cancer at all. Ultimately,
(08:19):
the best test is the one that you can complete
and the one that is going to be feasible for
you to go through with. If you have questions, I
would just say to talk to your doctor sooner than later.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
It's not just a family history of colon cancer. That
can be other symptoms, medical conditions that you have that
could actually lead to some of these warning signs. And
what are those, Emily.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Yeah, inflammatory bow disease is a big one. If you
have crones or ul sort of colitis, those are big reasons.
There are other genetic you know, things that people have
maybe Lynch syndrome or other genetic mutations that can cause
you to be more prone to cancer, not only colon cancer,
but many other cancers too that you need to be
aware of, and those screenings occur much more frequently and
(09:03):
at a younger age.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Thanks Emily for more information and to book your colonoscopy.
Go to Intermountainhealthcare dot org slash colonoscopy. Again, my thanks
to Emily Vancohman with Intermountain Health for shedding light on
this critical screening. Make sure you go and get one.
I'm Abbie Bonel. Thanks for listening to feedback produced by iHeartRadio.
(09:25):
We'll see you next time.
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