Author: Rochester Colon & Rectal Surgeons, P.C.

The nation’s cancer prevalence is showing concerning patterns, according to the most recent study from the American Cancer Society. More and more young people are receiving cancer diagnoses, including cervical, breast, and colon cancer. The rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses, which is currently the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women under 50 and the top cause of cancer deaths in men, is especially concerning.

Medical experts caution that although there has been a general decline in cancer-related deaths, the trend may be reversed due to an increase in the diagnosis of some dangerous cancer forms. Certain cancers are on the rise, including colorectal, uterine, renal, gastric, and pancreatic; they are impacted by lifestyle factors like obesity, tobacco use, and food.

Watch the short video discussing this topic in more detail

More colon cancer diagnoses at a younger age

You will need to purchase these items below-these are all over the counter and you can find listed options of alternatives on the back of this sheet.

Miralax bottle (238 grams or 8.3 ounces)
(4) Dulcolax or bisacodyl tablets (5 milligram tablets)
(2) 32 oz. bottles of re-hydration (sports) drink except no red drinks (See back of this sheet for list of brands to choose from)

DAY ONE = one day prior to colonoscopy appointment

DAY TWO = day of colonoscopy exam

1. Starting two hours before your colonoscopy exam, stop ALL fluids. Take nothing (No Food or Drink) by mouth.
2. For use of your medications, refer to orange medication instruction sheet enclosed.
3. Call (585-461-2498) if you have any questions regarding any of these instructions.
4. Arrive at your assigned time.

**We encourage clear liquid intake up to 2 hours before your procedure time**

CLEAR LIQUIDS (NO ALCOHOL): *Do not drink any liquid that is RED*

• Water
• Clear juices (apple, white grape juice, orange drink, white cranberry juice)
• Black coffee or tea (no creamers) sugar OK
• Bouillon or clear broth
• Soda pop (Sprite, Ginger-ale, Mountain Dew), Gatorade (no red)
• Jell-o (no red), popsicles (no red), Lemon Ice

BOWEL PREP TABLETS: (any of these brands)

DO NOT USE STOOL SOFTENERS

• These are the PILLS to take at the start of your bowel prep
• Bisacodyl (Generic)
• Dulcolax
• Dulcogen
• Alophen
• Bisco-lax
• Carters Little Pills
• Colax
• Fleet Bisacodyl
• Modane

RE-HYDRATION (SPORT) DRINKS: Two 32 oz bottles *NO RED DRINKS*

This is the liquid used to mix with the powder (below)

• Powerade (contains less sugar than Gatorade)
• Powerade zero (even less sugar, best for diabetics)
• G2 (same amount of electrolytes as Gatorade, just less calories)
• W-sport drink (Wegmans brand)
• AllSport
• HydraLife powder
• Gatorade

BOWEL PREP POWDER

This is the powder to mix with the liquid (above)

• Glycolax
• PureLax
• ClearLax
• Miralax

Please Note:

• Please wear socks as it sometimes can get cool in the procedure room.
• No nail polish on fingers only (you do not need to remove acrylic nails). The nail polish may interfere with the oxygen sensor that is placed on your finger.
• Diabetics may use Powerade Zero as it contains less sugar than regular Powerade.

Anyone who is given a colon cancer diagnosis finds their world has turned upside down in one minute. Fear, anxiety, and a thousand other emotions hit all at once. After the initial shock settles in, now you need to think clearly and figure out the next steps after a colon cancer diagnosis.

Continue reading “Next Steps After a Colon Cancer Diagnosis” →

If you are approaching the age of 45, you may be wondering, why do I need to get a colonoscopy? For starters, it could save your life. If that doesn’t move you to set one up, we will give you several additional reasons.

Continue reading “Why Do I Need To Get A Colonoscopy?” →

The CDC indicates us that colon cancer is the third most common cancer that affects both men and women. Sadly, colorectal cancer is also rising among young people.

Now more than ever, it’s important to make sure that you are proactively taking the steps to be sure your colon is healthy early in life!

Continue reading “Care for Your Colon by Eating More of These Foods” →