Updated at: 11/20/2009 1:26 PM | KSAX.com
By: By Matt Standal
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Colonscopy on Camera: KSAX Meteorologist Mark Anthony Volunteers

ALEXANDRIA, MINN. - To raise awareness about colon cancer and other diseases, KSAX Meteorologist Mark Anthony agreed to take you along during his own colonoscopy.

Colon cancer kills almost sixty thousand Americans each year. However it, and other colon problems are almost completely preventable through regular screenings called colonoscopies.

Colon cancer has been a serious topic for Anthony. His family has a history of cancer and a disease called ulcerative colitis.

"My grandmother was willing to put herself on the line and actually be experimented on when she was dieing of cancer," Anthony said. "If she was willing to do that, than I thought the least I could do to honor her would be to do this colonoscopy on camera."

Anthony's idea was to raise awareness of colon cancer and promote regular screenings to our viewers. Although the idea was debated that viewers would be squeamish, Anthony was quick to point out that CBS Anchor Katie Couric had done the same procedure with excellent results.

Prior to the procedure, Anthony entered the surgery center with one request: he wanted no anesthesia during his colonoscopy. To be conscious and able to communicate was the goal.

"There's probably three out of a thousand annually that don't go under, and I'm one of those," said Anthony, moments before the procedure.

To prep for his colonoscopy, Anthony could not eat for two days and had to take a special medicine to cleanse his colon.

Instrumental to the documentary of Anthony's colonoscopy would be Dr. Jerry McCreary of Douglas County Hospital. McCreary operated the colonoscope's control wheel with the ability of an expert surgeon. And that's because he is one.

"It's a lot more complicated than driving a radio-controlled car. I'll tell you that" he said when questioned about the complexity of the machine.

"We recommend screening colonoscopies beginning at age 50 typically every ten years," McCreary adds. "In theory colon cancer should be entirely preventable through regular screenings."

McCreary uses the colonoscope as a surgical tool as well as a camera

In the span of 40 minutes, McCreary was able to successfully scope Anthony's entire colon, all the way to his appendix. With the help of two nurses, he then performed roughly a dozen biopsies and detected several non-cancerous polyps.

Using the colonoscope, several extremely long, fibrous clamps are used to sample pieces of intestine out during the biopsies. The colonoscope can also be used to cauterize polyps. During both procedures, no pain is felt by the patient.

In its entirety, Anthony's procedure took approximately one-and-a-half hours. He came and was discharged in what could be compared to a long lunch break.

If you ask him, Anthony will quickly say that he encourages all adults to take the steps he did, because colon cancer and other colon diseases can run in families, and is a real danger to adults 40 and up.

I started having colonoscopies a few years ago because my family has a history of ulcerative colitis," Anthony says. "My two sisters have it, and my brother has it."

Anthony's advice to anyone concerned about colon health:

"By having colonoscopies regularly, it raises awareness, and can certainly, so to speak, nip colon cancer in the bud."

For more information on colonoscopies, colon cancer and other resources, visit

http://www.endcoloncancernow.org/about/resources.html

http://colonoscopy.org/

Written for the web by Matt Standal.

mstandal@ksax.com