Like many people, Bronx, NY, resident Rudolph Aikens both dreaded and feared having a colonoscopy, even though this routine procedure could literally save his life.
“I had my first colonoscopy when I was 51,” says Aikens, who is now 56. “Nothing was found then, and I have to say, I wasn’t looking forward to having the procedure again. But my daughter, who’s training to be a nurse at Montefiore Medical Center, insisted it was time for another one.”
The screening test was especially important for Aikens. The self-employed telecommunications specialist and adjunct professor at Mercy College is at high risk for colorectal cancer. He is African-American, has high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes and has a family history of colorectal cancer. Other risk factors in patients can include advancing age; inflammatory bowel disease; history of colon polyps or colorectal cancer; family history of other cancers, including uterine or ovarian cancer; and lifestyle factors, such as eating a lot of high-fat or processed foods, obesity, a lack of physical activity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Despite being at high risk, the fear that the procedure might find something was enough to make him procrastinate. It was only when a routine physical showed that his prostate-specific antigen blood levels were high that he saw a specialist.
“My urologist mentioned that if something was wrong with my prostate, something could also be wrong with my colon,” explains Aikens. “Luckily, I was quickly cleared of having any problems with my prostate.”
No longer able to put off his colonoscopy, Aikens made an appointment to have his procedure performed by Daniel Berkowitz, MD, director of Gastroenterology at the Jack D. Weiler Division of Montefiore and associate professor of Gastroenterology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE PROCEDURE?
Colonoscopy is one of the most effective tests doctors use to screen for cancers of the colon and rectum. Patients take a laxative to clean out the colon before their procedure. Minutes before their colonoscopy, patients receive medication to prevent pain and discomfort.
The doctor gently inserts a flexible tube (scope) into the rectum. The tip of the tube contains a light and a tiny camera that transmits images of the lining of the colon to a large video monitor.
As the doctor moves the tube slowly through the colon, he is able to examine the rectum and colon and look for abnormal growths called polyps. Most polyps are not cancerous but some of them can become cancerous in the future. When the doctor finds polyps, he inserts a special instrument through the scope and removes them.
“People avoiding colonoscopies should talk about their concerns with their doctors because these are very important tests,” Dr. Berkowitz says. “They don’t just allow us to find colon and rectum cancers at earlier, more treatable stages, they help us prevent colorectal cancer from ever developing.”
FEARS WERE UNFOUNDED
When Aikens finally had his colonoscopy, he found that his entire experience— from the time he arrived, through his preparation, procedure and recovery—was very positive.
“I was greeted personally by Dr. Berkowitz who gave me a detailed explanation of the procedure,” he says. “Staff were very considerate and sensitive to the fact that, while this may be routine for them, it was not for me. Even while I was under anesthesia, Dr. Berkowitz was talking with me, and before I knew it, the procedure was over.”
Aikens says he loves the beach. Now that he overcame his fear and received a clean bill of health, he can go to the Florida Keys as planned with his wife and five children without worrying about his health. 
To schedule a colonoscopy or make an appointment with Dr. Berkowitz, please call 718-904-2223.
Schedule Your Colonoscopy Today
The new Montefiore-Einstein Center for Colon Health makes it easier for patients and referring physicians to schedule colonoscopies. Patients or their physicians simply call the center and speak with a navigator who guides them throughout the process at all Montefiore endoscopy facilities by:
- Scheduling appointments for direct colonoscopies for patients without any troublesome symptoms (no need to wait for a consultation with a gastroenterologist before procedure)
- Answering any questions patients have about the procedure
- Scheduling consultation appointments for patients who need to see a physician before their procedure
- Letting patients know what they need to do to prepare for their colonoscopy
- Sending results of patients’ procedures to their referring physicians
For more information about the new Center for Colon Health, please call
The articles in this publication are from Montefiore Medical Center’s publication Keeping You Healthy and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations to any individual or group.
This publication is for information purposes only.