What Everyone Gets Wrong about Colonoscopies

Science Quickly

Scientific American

Science

4.3 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 19 March 2025

⏱️ 11 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Colonoscopy gets a bad rap, but how much of what you’ve heard is actually true? In recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we’re tackling the biggest myths that keep people from getting this potentially lifesaving screening. John Nathanson, a gastroenterologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, joins host Rachel Feltman to clear up what the misconceptions are, explain what to expect and share why this test is so important. Recommended reading: The Colon Cancer Conundrum Colon Cancer Linked to Mouth Bacteria Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover! Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter. Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Naeem Amarsy and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check our show. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:36.6	I once dreamed of becoming an astronaut. While I never made it to space, my work at Scientific American. Like many kids, I once dreamed of becoming an astronaut.
0:38.7	While I never made it to space, my work at Scientific American has given me the next best thing,
0:44.0	exploring the cosmos through stories and sharing its wonders with science lovers like you.
0:49.0	When I research a story, I immerse myself in the reporting to bring you an exciting and accurate account.
0:55.1	Over the years, I've covered breathtaking rocket launches, visited one of the world's highest
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1:04.1	I love interviewing scientists who are exploring the mysteries of space.
1:08.4	If you'd like to learn about the secrets of dark matter directly from an expert,
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1:35.8	Music to attend this event and explore our vast, beautiful cosmos. For Scientific American Science quickly, I'm Rachel Feldman.
1:40.4	Few outpatient medical procedures inspire as much negativity as the colonoscopy.
1:45.8	In honor of colorectal cancer awareness month, we've decided to bust up some of the myths that make people avoid this crucial procedure.
1:54.3	My guest today is John Nathanson.
1:56.9	He's a gastroenterologist at New York Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
2:02.1	Thanks so much for joining us today.
2:03.8	It's great being here. Thank you for having me.
2:05.5	So we are here to debunk some colonoscopy myths.
	...

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