Colonoscopy in the a.m. may have best pre-cancer detection rate

Colonoscopy performed in the morning is more likely to detect pre-cancerous polyps than the same test done in the afternoon according to a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology .

Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic analyzed results from over 3600 colonoscopies and found that not only were a higher percentage of polyps detected in these patients screened in the morning, but the detection rates dropped off as the day wore on. The authors speculated that fatigue of the GI doctors performing the procedure may have played a role in these results, but stated that the findings should be studied further.

In an accompanying editorial, Joseph Vicari, MD pointed out that the morning group of patients had a higher number of men who are more likely to have polyps than women. In addition, the morning group tended to be older and more of them had a history of polyps than the afternoon group, which could also have skewed the data. Nevertheless, he felt that if the findings could be validated in a prospective study, there might be a need to consider scheduling fewer colonoscopies in the afternoon to improve polyp detection rates.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in the US. In 2008, about 149,000 Americans were diagnosed with the disease, and 50,000 died of it. Experts believe that adequate screening could have prevented perhaps 60 percent of those deaths.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force now recommends screening colonoscopy every ten years starting at the age of 50. If there is a family history of colon cancer or some other increased risk factor such as ulcerative colitis, screening should be done before age 50. Discuss how often is appropriate for you with your primary care physician.

Source http://www.examiner.com/x-9303-Miami-Health-Care-Examiner~y2009m8d16-Colonoscopy-in-the-am-may-have-best-precancer-detection-rate The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News. ‎Au1 16 , 2009‎