Dr. Oz Probably Saved by Colon Exam

Dr. Mehmet Oz, who became well known for doing health segments on the television program Oprah, recently had a colonoscopy which showed a precancerous growth in his intestine. According to reports, Dr. Oz said the exam probably “saved my life.” He said of the discovery, “The only thing holding me back from a terrible outcome is the dumb luck that I checked myself…I would have put this off, like a lot of people.” (Source: New York Daily News)

Recently a research study showed a single colon exam during middle age reduced colorectal cancer by 40 percent. Data from the Centers for Disease Control shows about 53,000 Americans died from colorectal cancer in 2006. According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is the third most common type that causes death.

Colonoscopy uses a small camera to provide a visual inspection of the colon and small intestine for polyps, ulcers, or growths. It is a routine test for people 50 years or older, and used to detect colon cancer. For people with a family history of colon cancer, they are often screened at a much younger age.

To read more about the colonoscopy exam, visit the National Institutes of Health.

Image Credit: Public Domain

Read more: General Health, Health, colon cancer, colonscopy

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Nimue P.

6:22PM PDT on Mar 24, 2012

Thanks.

send a green star

Eco M.

10:28AM PST on Mar 1, 2012

Thank you

Faith B.

11:51PM PST on Feb 29, 2012

Great article, thanks for sharing

Elisabeth T.

7:14AM PDT on Oct 14, 2011

A colonoscopy can save your life. If I didn't get my first one, I probably wouldn't be around right now.

Ida J.

6:39AM PDT on Sep 2, 2011

thanks for the info

Summerannie M.

5:00AM PDT on Aug 14, 2011

I had a Colonoscopy/Endoscopy done last year 2010 and a Gastroscopy and I was about two days short of getting bowel cancer. It was a polyp. The other end found a huge ulcer, hiatus hernia and gastric ulcers in my esophagus. Good one! I was lucky. Im still addressing the Gastric problem, digestion. However, I am the biggest fan of Dr OZ. What a fantastic Dr and listening and watching him speak is sheer joy b/c you can see he is passionate about people and his job but not only that i have learnt so much from him b/c he says it how it goes in simple lay-mans terms without all the jargon and avoidance of truth. Go Dr Oz...glad you did what you preach and are here to tell the tale.

Michele W.

9:05AM PDT on Jul 8, 2011

Sue M.

1:49PM PDT on Mar 29, 2011

thanks for this post.

Many F.

6:36AM PDT on Mar 29, 2011

Ive had 2 colonoscopies since turning 50,

Gordana R.

3:56AM PDT on Mar 29, 2011

good to know