Doctor’s story raises awareness about colon cancer screening

Sufferers of Dr. Omar Khokhar can have peace of thoughts realizing he has private expertise to again up the medical recommendation he presents.

Dr. Khokhar is president of the medical workers at OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center and the lead doctor at OSF Medical Group – Gastroenterology in Bloomington.

Final 12 months, he was turning 40 and commenced having some gastrointestinal points.

Some historical past of points

“I’ve had intermittent bowel points all my life – minor constipation every so often,” Dr. Khokhar mentioned. “Final 12 months, I seen the problems had been a little bit bit totally different and I assumed, ‘This isn’t regular.’

“I used to be turning 40, and in my career, I see issues occur on a regular basis to younger individuals,” he mentioned. “I talked to my associate, Dr. David Rzepcynski, about what I used to be experiencing and determined I wanted to have a colonoscopy.”

A colonoscopy is used to display screen for colorectal most cancers, the second main reason behind cancer-related deaths within the U.S. and the fourth most typical most cancers in women and men. The American Cancer Society recommends individuals get a colonoscopy beginning at age 45.

Dr. Khokhar estimates he has carried out about 12,000 colonoscopies throughout his profession.

Throughout a colonoscopy, the whole size of the massive gut is examined. Along with getting used as a screening device for colon cancer, additionally it is used to establish infected tissue, ulcers and bleeding.

The discovering

On June 15, 2018, Dr. Khokhar had a colonoscopy – with out anesthesia.

“I needed to have the flexibility to look at my very own process after which return to work,” he mentioned. “Positive sufficient, I had a small precancerous polyp – it wasn’t causative of my bowel points, however it could have grown to one thing vital if I hadn’t been proactive.

“If I had ignored my signs, the polyp would have continued to develop till I used to be inside the screening age vary.”

Admittedly, Dr. Khokhar mentioned as a result of gastroenterology is his space of experience, he was extra in tuned to what he was experiencing.

“Some could name it overkill, I name it prudent,” he mentioned. “I didn’t need to be a ‘unhealthy story.’”

When to get a screening

Whereas it is suggested that individuals at common threat of colorectal most cancers get common screenings beginning at age 45, people youthful than that with a household historical past of colon most cancers or who’ve inflammatory bowel disease ought to speak to their well being care supplier about when to start screenings.

Household historical past and older age are the key threat elements for colorectal most cancers. A number of different elements have been related to elevated threat, too, together with extreme alcohol use, weight problems, being bodily inactive and cigarette smoking.

Folks with a historical past of inflammatory bowel illness, resembling ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, even have a better threat.

Early phases of colorectal cancer usually don’t have any signs. Some signs an individual could expertise, nevertheless, embrace blood within the stool, diarrhea, constipation or different stool points, unexplained weight reduction, common episodes of stomach ache, nausea or vomiting.

Sharing his story

Gastroenterologist Omar Khokhar and Dr. Paul Pedersen, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Middle at an occasion for the American Most cancers Society.

Dr. Khokhar shares his story a pair instances every week.

“I’m apprehensive in regards to the individuals on the market who’re ignoring their signs or they don’t have time or they don’t consider it as being needed,” he mentioned. “Belly ache, unintentional weight reduction, blood within the stool – these items could or might not be sinister, however in case you are experiencing something like that it is best to focus on it together with your physician.”

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colon most cancers will be prevented with early detection. Screening finds polyps to allow them to be eliminated earlier than they flip into most cancers. There are a number of screening choices out there, together with easy take-home choices. Discuss to your physician a few screening choice that’s best for you.

“If you happen to’re above the age of 30,” Dr. Khokhar mentioned, “see your physician yearly and be sure to’re up to the mark.”

Final Up to date: January 28, 2022