For many, just hearing the word “colonoscopy” is enough to trigger fear or anxiety. Due to embarrassment and misconceptions, a significant number of people decide to postpone or forego the examination altogether. Truth is, however, that the procedure is nowhere near as disgusting as — or as bad as — the hype would have you believe.
When a healthcare professional gives a recommendation, it is not made hastily; it is a purposeful action to protect your health and detect possible issues at an early stage.
Most times, what causes fear at people isn’t the test itself but all the “what ifs.” There are these worst case scenarios running through people’s minds because they are unfamiliar with the facts. Posts spread on the social media and exaggerating stories from friends can definitely make colonoscopy sound more frightening than it actually is. In reality, colonoscopy is a routine test performed by professionals safely a million times a day.
Another factor is simply the sensitive nature of this exam itself. While it could be a little awkward to think about, especially if you come from a culture in which digestive issues are a sensitive subject, this is what medical staff does every day with complete professionalism and without any judgment at all. To them, it’s just another day looking after patients’ well-being.
