When South Indian film icon Chiranjeevi talked about his 2023 colonoscopy, fans thought he had cancer. But it was just non-cancerous polyps. He later cleared this up on social media, stressing regular health checks.
At cancer center opening in Hyderabad,he pushed preventive screenings, especially for those over 40. “Cancer can be prevented with regular tests. I took a colonoscopy,found non-cancerous polyps,and had them removed. Without the test,it could've been cancer. Everyone should get screened,” he said.
By 2026, Chiranjeevi kept up his health advocacy,speaking at a World Cancer Day event in Hyderabad about early detection's importance.
Understanding colonoscopy is crucial. It lets doctors see inside the colon through the anus. Dr . Madhu M P at Aster RV Hospital said good bowel prep is key to spotting polyps or early-stage cancers.
Preparation starts 2-3 days before. Patients switch to low-fiber diets, avoiding whole grains, raw fruits,veggies, nuts,and seeds . Instead,they eat easy-to-digest foods like white rice,bread, idli, khichdi,and eggs. This helps clear the intestines for better examination.
The day before, solid foods are cut out for a clear liquid diet. Acceptable fluids? Coconut water, clear soups, apple juice,and black tea or coffee without milk . A bowel-cleaning solution or laxative is typically used to empty the colon.
Dr. Madhu warned against alcohol, sodas, fried foods, dairy,and red or purple drinks during prep. Some meds might need adjusting or pausing,especially blood thinners like warfarin and clopidogrel due to bleeding risks. Diabetes meds like insulin and metformin might require dosage tweaks due to fasting effects .
Iron supplements should stop 5-7 days before — they darken stools,complicating exams. Herbal supplements like garlic,ginkgo,and ginseng may need to be paused due to bleeding risk.
Chiranjeevi's story is a strong reminder: colonoscopy is more than diagnostic, it's preventive for colorectal cancer. By removing precancerous polyps early,cancer risks drop. Dr. Madhu stressed that following prep rules is vital for accurate exams and good outcomes .
