Why A Colonoscopy Should Be Your New Year's Resolution

As people ring in the New Year, many set resolutions to improve their lives—whether it’s eating healthier, exercising more, or spending more time with loved ones. But amidst all these well-intentioned goals, one resolution could have a lasting impact on your health and well-being: scheduling a colonoscopy. While it might not be as glamorous as losing weight or running a marathon, a colonoscopy is one of the most important things you can do for your health, especially as you get older.

Here’s why a colonoscopy should be at the top of your New Year’s resolution list.

Preventative Health Matters

When it comes to our health, prevention is always better than treatment. Many serious conditions do not have symptoms until it’s too late for effective treatment. With around 4% of Americans diagnosed with colorectal cancer at some point during their lifetime, this seems to be especially true for colon cancer.

The good news is that colon cancer is highly preventable and treatable when detected early, and a colonoscopy is the most effective screening tool for this purpose.

Colon Cancer and Its Impact

Colon cancer doesn’t show many symptoms in its early stages, which is why it’s important to have routine screenings. Risk factors such as age, family history, and lifestyle can increase your chances of developing colon cancer, but even those with no known risk factors should still consider getting screened.

So far in 2024, there are an estimated 152,810 people diagnosed with colon cancer in the US, which accounts for 7.6% of all new cancer cases. However, the survival rate for colon cancer is significantly higher when the disease is caught early—around 90% of people diagnosed with colon cancer in its early stages have a 5-year relative survival rate. This highlights the importance of screenings like colonoscopies that can detect issues before symptoms arise.

Benefits of a Colonoscopy

There are several benefits to getting a colonoscopy, with the most important being early detection and prevention. The procedure allows doctors to remove polyps—growths on the colon that could eventually become cancerous—before they have a chance to develop into full-blown cancer.

Colonoscopies are one of the most accurate screening tests available, providing direct observation of the colon’s health and allowing doctors to diagnose issues like inflammation or infections. Despite concerns, many find the procedure, which typically lasts around 30 minutes, relatively simple and comfortable.

Make Getting a Colonoscopy Your 2025 Resolution

This New Year, why not make a resolution to take control of your health and schedule your colonoscopy? Preventative care like this could save your life and is a small investment in your long-term health. A colonoscopy can give you peace of mind, knowing you’re doing everything you can to protect your health and catch potential issues early.

If you’re due for a colonoscopy or have concerns about your digestive health, it’s time to act. Reach out to our team at the California Digestive Disease Center today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how a colonoscopy can benefit you. Taking the first step toward better health today can lead to a healthier, longer life.