Colonoscopies cut the death risk from colorectal cancer in half, according to a new study.
Researchers at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, whose findings were published in The New England Journal of Medicine, have shown that removing polyps by colonoscopy prevents colorectal cancer - and prevents deaths.
The study followed 2,600 patients who had precancerous polyps removed. After 23 years, the patients' death rate from colorectal cancer was 53 percent lower than a general population of comparable size, age and gender.
"If a 50-year-old is getting a polyp out, it is preventing colon cancer at age 60," said Dr. Paul Farr, a gastroenterologist with Saint Mary's Health Care. "It's the only cancer that kind of announces itself by coming out as polyps first."
Farr added that he hopes the new research will encourage people to overcome their fear of undergoing a colonoscopy.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.