New York – NYC Health Department Publishes Illustrated Novella About The Colonoscopy Preparation And Procedure Process

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    New York – – The Health Department today published a new illustrated novella about the preparation process and procedure for colonoscopies. The novella, Preparing for a Colonoscopy: Sandra’s Story, follows a woman as she prepares for a colonoscopy – she consumes a liquid diet, avoids opaque liquids, and coordinates with someone to pick her up after the surgery. The novella will be distributed in doctors’ offices across the city and will be available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Bengali, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Russian, Yiddish, and French.

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    “Colonoscopies are important to detect and prevent colorectal cancer, and this illustrated novella makes it easy to understand how to prepare for one,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “All New Yorkers age 50 and older should get a colonoscopy, and if you are uninsured, you may qualify for a free colonoscopy.”

    “Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in New York City. Seventy percent of New Yorkers age 50 and older undergo a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer, and we want to reach eighty percent,” said Deputy Commissioner Dr. Sonia Angell. “More people getting this test and being better prepared for, it will help us find and treat cancer early; ultimately, saving more lives. This novella is a unique way to help people get ready for this important test.”

    “Colon cancer is the second deadliest form of cancer in New York City but one of the most treatable forms of cancer when detected early. The Health Department’s new education efforts to encourage New Yorkers age 50 and over to get colonoscopies are creative and timely,” said Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee.

    “Nobody loves the idea of invasive medical exams, but for our own sake and for our loved ones, we should all get screened for deadly diseases like colon cancer, which is so much more treatable when caught early,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “Getting this information out, and making it as accessible and unintimidating as possible, is a good, proactive public health measure.”

    Said Council Health Chair Mark Levine, “The importance of early screenings for colorectal cancer cannot be overstated. I’m grateful to the Health Department for their commitment to promoting awareness for early detection, and encourage New Yorkers to read this novella for what can be life-saving information.”

    “Screening colonoscopy is a topic that everyone has heard about but few people really understand what it is about. The only people who really know what a colonoscopy is about are those who have had the procedure. It is a rare person who, having undergone a screening colonoscopy, refuses to do so again,” said Dr. Donald Kotler, GI Chief at NYC Health + Hospitals / Jacobi in the Bronx.

    “The NYC Health Department has been at the forefront of improving not just colon cancer screening rates but quality. These new educational tools are an excellent and innovative resource that will help achieve both of these goals through alleviating patients’ perceived fears and stressing the importance of preparation which is intrinsic to achieving high quality colonoscopies,” said Dr. Brett Bernstein, Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at Mount Sinai Beth Israel and Director of Clinical Integration for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, at the Mount Sinai Health System and Medical Director, Eastside Endoscopy, LLC in New York City.

    Colonoscopies are safe and usually painless. They can detect precancerous polyps – abnormal growths in the colon or rectum – that can be removed before they turn life-threatening. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when it is more treatable. Every year more than 1,200 New York City residents die from colorectal cancer. It is the second deadliest cancer in New York City, yet it is one of the most treatable cancers when detected early.

    The Health Department recommends that average-risk New Yorkers first get screened for colorectal cancer at the age of 50. A colonoscopy is usually needed only once every 10 years if test results are normal. Being 50 or older, having a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, smoking or being overweight or obese increases the risk for colorectal cancer. An adult over 50 whose colonoscopy reveals an early stage of colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of 92 percent. In contrast, an adult whose colonoscopy reveals the most advanced stage of colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of 12 percent.

    To increase colorectal cancer screening rates, the Health Department in 2003 convened the Citywide Colon Cancer Control Coalition (C5), a group of public health professionals, clinicians, non-profit partners and researchers. New York City improved colon cancer prevention from 2003 through 2016, increasing the overall colonoscopy screening rate by 64 percent. Importantly, the inequities between Whites compared to Blacks, Latinos, and Asians in colon cancer prevention evident in 2003 were eliminated by 2010. From 2010 through 2016, Blacks, Latinos, and Asians were as likely as Whites to receive a timely colonoscopy.

    The Health Department’s Community Cares Project connects uninsured patients to free colonoscopy screenings when referred by primary care sites. Since August 2013, more than 3,000 uninsured New Yorkers have completed colonoscopy screenings through CCP. If you are an uninsured New York City resident and would like to get a free colonoscopy, contact a CCP primary care provider.

    To reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, New Yorkers should:
    • Get screened beginning at age 50.
    o If there is an increased risk for colorectal cancer based on family history or other health problems, talk to a health care provider to see what age is appropriate to start screening.
    • Maintain a healthy weight.
    • Be physically active.
    • Eat a healthy diet including whole grains and fiber.
    • Quit smoking.
    • Decrease alcohol consumption.

    For more information on where to go for colorectal cancer screening or if you are uninsured and would like assistance to get screened, call 311, talk to your doctor, or search “colorectal cancer” on nyc.gov/health.


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    4 Comments
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    yamsar
    yamsar
    5 years ago

    Russian yente pleads guilty. WH in trouble. Police recommend prosecution for the ganif in Israel. Alt-right xenophobes on the run. Stay tuned for the next fascist greps.

    HappyLISA
    HappyLISA
    4 years ago

    Thanks for the informative article, colon cancer is very common these days after 50. But living a healthy and balanced life can reduce it easily. Taking care of gut is very important we all must take care of it. From multicolor veggies to regular exercise we have lots of options to take care care of our digestive system. Whenever I travel or not able to follow a healthy diet I carry Bowtrol probiotic supplements with me for maintaining my gut health.