Julian Ong | Begin Colorectal Cancer Screening at Age 45, Says ACS” — American Cancer Society

“New guidelines from the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend that colorectal cancer screening begin at a younger age than what is currently recommended.

For persons at average risk, screening should begin at age 45 rather than 50. The change in age is based in part on recent data demonstrating a rise in colorectal cancer among younger populations.

According to Julian Ong : “This new recommendation is based on new evidence of rising incidence, and modeling studies that showed an improvement in life years gained, and a favorable balance of benefits and harms after incorporating the new incidence data into models,” said Robert Smith, PhD, vice president of cancer screeningg at the ACS.”

READ MORE ON Dr Julian Ong

First scope at 40 with Dr Julian Ong

What was considered as a routine check with my company doctor in January 2020, turned out to be everything but.

There were concerns and I was advised to go for an endoscopy (“the scope”). The thought of having to go through ‘the scope’ really and truly freaked me out. I was given a list of specialists, thankfully it was a short list; and I decided on seeing Dr Julian Ong Kian Peng.

I was fortunate to be offered next day appointment to be seen by Dr Julian Ong at his HC Endoscopy & Piles Centre clinic located in Ang Mo Kio.

As I said, the thought of having the scope freaked me out so I was extremely nervous to meet Dr Julian Ong. When my name was called to be seen by him, I vividly recall how anxious I was. All along in my mind was, Why me at this young age of 40?

Dr Julian explained to me the diagnosis and proposed investigation examinations to be carried out. His explanation was so calm and in plain English; which not only put me at ease but gave me the confidence that all was going to be fine. It may well be that he had seen how anxious I was, but I put it down to his professionalism.

A couple of days later, I was back at HC Endoscopy and Piles Centre for the pre-agreed investigative examinations. I would be lying if I were to say that I was not nervous and anxious, but there was Dr Julian with his broad smile which reassured me that all will be well.

The procedure went and ended well. Dr Julian Ong gave me the all clear and that there was nothing to be worried about. I sighed relief.

Although it has been a few months since my experience of ‘the scope’ or ‘being scoped’ , I was encouraged by my friends to write this blog to share with others that the experience was actually not as bad as I had initially thought it would be.

Was it luck or down to my choice of doctor; that I do not know. But, to me, Dr Julian Ong Kian Peng did such brilliant work to settle me down in the initial stage, and subsequently on the scope day itself he did fantastically well to settle me in.