Tag Archive for: polyps

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Ryan Reynolds Documents a “Potentially Life-Saving” Colonoscopy After Losing a Bet

A friendly bet resulted in a potentially life-saving procedure for actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Reynolds bet McElhenney that if he learned to speak Welsh, Reynolds would let a camera crew document him as he underwent a colonoscopy. In partnership with Lead from Behind, Reynolds documented and shared his experience on YouTube. 

Both Reynolds and McElhenney turned 45-years-old this year. In May 2021, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) revised the colorectal cancer (CRC) screening age for average-risk adults to 45 years instead of 50. Reynolds noted in his video description, “I made a bet. I lost. But it still paid off.” Reynolds’ colonoscopy, conducted by Jonathan LaPook, MD, a gastroenterologist with NYU Langone’s Colon Cancer Screening and Prevention Program, resulted in the detection and removal of an “extremely subtle polyp” on the right side of his colon. McElhenney also decided to undergo a colonoscopy, which resulted in the identification of three polyps. Dr. LaPook emphasized, “This [colonoscopy] saves lives. Pure and simple.”

Importance of Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed cancer and over 5 million people worldwide currently live with CRC. According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime risk of developing CRC is 1 in 23 for men and 1 in 25 for women, and recent research indicates an increased incidence of CRC among individuals younger than 50 years of age. There will be an estimated 106,180 new colon cancer cases and 44,850 new rectal cancer cases in the United States in 2022. While CRC screening rates have significantly improved over the past 20 years, only 65%-70% of age-eligible individuals achieve screening nationally. Screening is a significantly effective and preventive method to detect CRC before it advances to an incurable stage. 

When to Schedule a Colonoscopy

The American Cancer Society and USPSTF recommend screening should begin at 45 years for average-risk adults. Individuals who are at a higher risk of developing CRC may need to be screened earlier.

What to Expect During a Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy detects swollen, abnormal tissues, polyps, or cancer in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Before a colonoscopy, patients are required to empty their colon by following a specific diet recommended by their doctor, taking a prescribed laxative, and adjusting any daily medications as instructed by their doctor. On the day of the procedure, a long, flexible tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the patient’s rectum under anesthesia. A tiny camera at the tip of the tube allows the doctor to view the colon. If polyps and abnormal tissues are detected, they can be removed during the colonoscopy itself, just like in Reynolds’ and McElhenney’s procedures. According to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, more than 40% of adults over the age of 50 years have precancerous polyps in the colon.  

What Are Colorectal Cancer Symptoms?

CRC may not cause symptoms immediately. Screening is the most effective method to detect and remove polyps before they advance into malignant disease. Speak to your doctor if you are 45 or older, have a family history of CRC, or notice any abnormal symptoms.

Remember: CRC survival is 90% if detected at an early stage when the cancer is localized and has not spread to other sites or organs.

Sahar Alam is a Colorectal Cancer Prevention Intern with the Colon Cancer Foundation.

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Computer-Assisted Colonoscopy Better at Detecting Precancerous Polyps 

Colonoscopy is the most effective test for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and prevention. This procedure minimizes the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer through early detection. During a colonoscopy, a physician inserts, and threads a flexible tube with a tiny camera called a colonoscope into the rectum and through the entire colon, or large intestine. This helps identify abnormal growths and excise any polyps which can then be sent for diagnosis.

However, research has shown that despite being the gold-standard for CRC screening, 23-30% of adenomas are overlooked and missed during a traditional colonoscopy, the success of which can vary depending on operator skills.

“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and it is one of the few cancers that can be prevented if caught early,” said Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the Robert M. and Mary H. Glickman Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology and Director of Outcomes Research for the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. “Our mission remains to improve and enhance the quality and efficacy of the colonoscopy across the board to provide the best care for patients.”  

In order to improve the efficiency and efficacy of colonoscopies, Dr. Shaukat and her team have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) platform to assist endoscopists. The findings of their  prospective, randomized, multicenter collaborative study to test the AI platform were recently published in the journal Gastroenterology. Between January and September 2021, twenty-two skilled, board-certified gastroenterologists performed colonoscopies on 1,440 patients. The patients were randomized to receive a traditional colonoscopy or a colonoscopy with computer-aided detection software —the software detects colorectal polyps during high-definition white-light colonoscopy procedures. This device can identify potential polyps and identify areas of concern, refining the results of the procedure in real-time. 

The researchers found that using AI during a screening colonoscopy increased the adenoma per colonoscopy rate by 22%: from 0.82 to 1.05. This evidence indicates that AI can be an effective and efficient tool for gastroenterologists and endoscopists to reduce the number of overlooked polyps left behind in the colon, many of which can be precancerous. 

Dr. Shaukat states, “Our findings add to the growing amount of literature that shows using computer-aided technology during an endoscopy procedure can improve the quality of exams performed and improve outcomes for our patients. Several software technologies are currently available for clinicians and incorporating the use of these resources will only enhance the care we provide our patients and improve the quality of exams we as physicians are able to perform.”

Sahar Alam is a Colorectal Cancer Prevention intern with the Colon Cancer Foundation.

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