Endoscopic Examinations Safe, German Studies confirms that Colonoscopy Complications are Rare

For those afraid to take part in regular colonoscopy screenings, reports show that complications during the procedure are rare.

Studies show that regular screenings can help prevent colon cancer. As precancerous lesions develop into dangerous carcinomas over the years, they can be easily detected through endoscopic examination, and should be regularly done for persons aged 55 and older.

However, only one fifth of those eligible actually make use of the screening program. Many reasons for this have to do with fear of a frightening diagnosis or the examination itself.

"For an examination offered to large portions of the population, the question of safety is of central importance. Therefore, it is equally important that physicians and public health experts are very well informed about the risks of complications," says Professor Hermann Brenner of DKFZ. "Only then can they profoundly evaluate chances and risks of a colonoscopy with their patients."

Brenner, a prevention expert, analyzed the actual incidence of serious side effects during colonoscopy examinations in Germany.

In the study now published, intestinal bleeding requiring hospitalization occurred after no more than about five in 10,000 colonoscopies. Injuries to the intestinal wall were also very rare, with an incidence of less than one case in 1,000 exams.

Deaths and non-local complications such as strokes or myocardial infarctions were not more frequent in the colonoscopy group than in the control group.

Thus, studies show that the rate of complications are lower than the risks of not receiving the screenings.

 "The rare serious local complications usually only occur when a large polyp is detected and removed during a colonoscopy," says Hermann Brenner. "But these are the cases where patients profit most from colonoscopy, which may have saved their lives."

It's certainly better to get checked out, even if you are a little nervous about the procedure. It might just save your life.