How a doctor’s visit for bronchitis led to a colon cancer diagnosis

This story could start and end with a simple message: get a colonoscopy. The prep does not taste great, the procedure is painless and the outcome could save your life.

Anne Karena Dahl learned this lesson when a trip to her doctor to treat bronchitis ended up saving her life.

Like many, Dahl sheepishly admits she was behind on annual physicals and related screenings. Then came a persistent cough that brought her to her primary care doctor for the first time in six years. At that appointment, Dahl’s doctor said she would treat the bronchitis and book a return visit to review Dahl’s medical history and the need for blood tests and screenings. Among those missing was a colonoscopy, a test that Dahl had been avoiding for years. 

“In my naivete, I had not acted on previous colonoscopy referrals,” Dahl said. “However, this time I was motivated by my brother-in-law who was diagnosed with stage IV rectal cancer. He had been experiencing discomfort for several months.

Unfortunately, his prognosis is not very good, as the cancer has spread to his liver and lungs. He is bravely going through treatment to give him comfort and hopefully prolong his life. That was a very tangible reminder that I need to pay attention to my healthcare needs.”

A colonoscopy 

A colonoscopy, recommended for people 45-75 years old, is used to examine inside the large intestine, including the colon, rectum and anus. For the test, a colonoscope, a tube with a light and a camera on the end of it, is placed inside the rectum and moved up the colon. The tube can remove polyps during the procedure in addition to taking radiology images. The test is used for cancer screening, as well as to look for other sources of pain, inflammation or bleeding. 

Bowel preparation is needed before the test to remove stool. This is done by eating low-fiber foods for about three days before the procedure and not eating nuts and seeds. A prescribed laxative drink is used to clean out the colon, typically drinking half the day before a colonoscopy and the other half the morning of the procedure. During part of the two-day prep, you are on a clear-liquid diet. Your healthcare team will provide precise instructions and timing for the prep. 

After the first procedure, the follow-up colonoscopy frequency varies based on the findings. A colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years following a normal result. 

The medical journey

Without any symptoms, Dahl did not go into the test with any concerns, other than not enjoying the bowel prep like many others. Immediately after the procedure, Dahl was told several polyps were removed and sent for biopsy. Her doctor also expressed concern about other areas of the colon that would need additional examination. The care plan was to wait for the biopsy results and to schedule appointments with a surgeon and oncologist. 

MyChart revealed the diagnosis — the word “malignant” stared back at her.

“It was scary to see the word malignant,” Dahl admitted. “Yet I felt reassured by hearing that colon cancer is highly treatable when caught early.”

Scott Nathan Pinchot, MD, a colon and rectal surgeon at with Endeavor Health Medical Group, was Dahl’s next stop. With him, she found reassurance, a positive demeanor, and a guiding force as they talked about and prepared for laparoscopic colon surgery. 

Dahl was further reassured when she learned that Dr. Pinchot was born at Endeavor Health Northwest Community Hospital in May 1978. Turns out Dahl’s brother, Lars, was also born there in the same month. The small-world connection came again when Dahl met with a friend after an appointment with Dr. Pinchot. The friend’s husband also was a Dr. Pinchot patient and fan. 

The next few weeks were filled with a bewildered journey of doctor’s appointments, surgical screens and genetic testing. Then Dahl received good news — a 22-cm section of her colon was removed in January, without the need for radiation or chemotherapy, and with no lingering physical side effects. Dahl sees her oncologist every 3-4 months to test that there is no additional cancer. 

“I want to thank Karena for trusting me and recognizing the importance of health screenings,” Dr. Pinchot said. “Not every outcome is positive, like Karena’s, and she unfortunately personally knows the other side of this watching her brother-in-law’s journey with cancer. I say it all the time — yes, the bowel prep tastes bad. But cancer is worse than a sour drink.”