what is colonoscopy?

The standard procedure for detecting colon cancer is colonoscopy, but much of the population has little understanding of what one is and what it involves. These questions and many more are effectively addressed through videos provided by numerous treatment centers and support organizations. Those displayed above were prepared by MD Anderson (see YouTube MD Anderson playlist for "colonoscopy" videos).

Confronting Colon Cancer documentary

This informative documentary produced by PBS-affiliate WVIZ explores in step-by-step detail causes, symptoms, and surgical treatment of colorectal cancer. Uses case studies of patients to examine colonoscopy preparation and procedure, laparoscopic resection, and pathological findings. Chemotherapy is not addressed. Provides interviews with practitioners, patients, and family members. WVIZ website includes related coverage of colon cancer issues. Highly recommended for beginning students and patient education.

anticolonoscopy pop culture and "science"

The ultimate anticolonoscopy statement is the 2007 feature film, Sublime.  The protagonist's procedure goes awry and leaves him in a prolonged, excruciatingly terror-filled coma mercifully ended by death. 

Advisory: do not recommend to anyone in need of a colonoscopy. Practitioners should view in order to deal with possible patient fears generated by it. 

Although considered the "gold standard" for colon cancer screening, opposition comes in part from pseudoscience elements who claim it not only ineffective, but unsafe. In his Death by Colonoscopy video series, Konstantin Monastyrsky, self-proclaimed expert in the field of "forensic nutrition," selects bits and pieces from various studies and commonly misinterprets findings to support his anticolonoscopy bias (see, e.g, the segment in the bottom video from 1:25 to 2:15). Recommended to use as object of critique for beginning students. 

CDC's Screen For Life campaign

Since 1999, The Centers for Disease Control has waged a nationwide campaign to encourage target populations to undergo colorectal cancer testing. The program also provides guidance and funding to raise screening rates in local settings (see earlier post re Utah PSAs). The latest version of Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign employs a series of video, audio, and poster PSAs to get the message out via such celebrities as Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton, and Jimmy Smits. In my opinion, the Terrence Howard video shown here is one of the more effective as he talks about how the cancer death of his mother could have been easily prevented. Despite such efforts, the CDC indicates that participation is still too low as 1 in 3 Americans between 50-75 years old are not currently screened (see Campaign Overview, 2012).

patient education through MD Anderson

Multimedia provides a great way for health-care practitioners to educate patients about what they can expect to encounter as they go through testing and subsequent treatment, if necessary. For example, MD Anderson has produced materials on what patients can expect with a colonoscopy (top video) and what comes after discovery of a polyp (bottom video).

celebrity colonoscopy

Since Katie Couric underwent her televised colonoscopy in 2000 (see top video), several other celebrities have likewise had theirs performed for the public good, including Charles Barkley, Homer Simpson, and Harry Smith. Smith, a CBS news anchor, occupies a special place as his reportedly was the first-ever celebrity procedure televised live that gave an inside tour of the colon (see bottom video).

colonoscopy song

CBS Cares has long been promoting heath-care issues, including colon cancer prevention. Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame, sings his colonoscopy song in 2010 (see full version here).

colonoscopy sweepstakes

CBS Cares and New York Presbyterian Hospital are working together to promote this year's Colonoscopy Sweepstakes. Sharon Osbourne, who along with husband Ozzy are spokespersons for the campaign this year, shares her experience as a colon cancer patient and the need for testing on The Talk. CBS Cares has now been promoting colonoscopy screening through such efforts for the past several years (e.g., see 2009 promo).

an effective colon cancer campaign in Utah

Utah Cancer Control has created a series of innovative public service announcements that have played a significant role in improving colon cancer screening rates across the state. Utah residents 50 years and older who reported having had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy increased from 48 percent in 2003 to 67 percent by 2010. As shown in the above example, the brief videos broadcast on Utah television deliver a powerful emotional message that is virtually impossible to ignore. The campaign has also generated national recognition, including that from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, which will honor it with the 2012 Program Delivery Award.