Colon cancer is the third most common form of cancer in the United States behind skin cancer and lung cancer. With this insidious disease killing nearly 50,000 Americans each year, it's imperative to catch it early if you want to beat it.

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What Gastroenterologists Cover
Gastroenterologists cover everything from the mouth to the rear end, including the esophagus (food pipe), stomach (where food is broken down), small intestine (where food is absorbed), large intestine (where non-absorbed food is stored until excreted), the liver and gallbladder (organs that produce protein), and pancreas (organ that aids digestion).

When to Start Colonoscopy Screening
When you turn 50, you should make an appointment for your first colonoscopy, a screening for cancer, polyps, ulcers, and other irregularities. Then, you'll need another one every 5 years until about 80. Testing stops after 80 because in the average person, it takes about 12 years to develop cancer from a polyp. 

If you have any history of colon cancer in your family, make an appointment when you turn 40 or if there's a change in your bowel habits or you notice blood in your stool. Often, the signs of colon cancer are subtle and don't present themselves in an obvious way. But if you catch it early enough, the cure rate is much higher.

Preparing for a Colonoscopy
The preparation can be intimidating to most people. The first thing a doctor should do is have a discussion with the patient to explain what will happen during the procedure. The night before, you're given laxatives to clean out your system. 

If not properly prepped, the procedure will be stopped and tried again the following day. Some people think they can get away with taking fewer laxatives. But if you're not fully cleaned out, polyps can be missed. During the procedure, you'll get Propofol, an incredibly powerful anesthetic. You'll wake up 20 minutes after the procedure, and be able to return to work that day.

What is an Endoscopy
You'll need an endoscopy if you have gastritis, which is inflammation of the lining of your stomach. Signs of gastritis include heartburn, ulcers, bacterial infections, and acid-reflux. During this test, the doctor removes tissue, which is then biopsied. Doctors are then able to determine the extent of the gastritis and what could be causing it. Once the results from the biopsy come back, generally after 2 days, the doctor can determine the necessary medication.

How to Avoid Gastritis
Avoid excess caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, anti-inflammatory drugs, citrus, and fatty foods. Minimize stress. Maintain a healthy weight. Reflux, where acid or food goes into the chest, has become an epidemic as obesity grows more common. If you have reflux, avoid eating before going to sleep. If it's a gallbladder problem, avoid regular milk and fatty foods -- they irritate the gallbladder.

Special Thanks
Special thanks to Dr. Albert Knapp, clinical professor of medicine (gastroenterology) at NYU's School of Medicine, for sharing this important information about gastroenterology and to Bodies...The Exhibition for lending the specimen used during this segment.