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Representative Claims Colonoscopies Can Cause Cancer, Sparking Debate

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/25 .. onoscopies-can-cause-cancer-sparking-debate.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, February 25th 2026 at 12:13 GMT by inforum
      Locale: Not specified in article, UNITED STATES

Oklahoma City, OK - February 25th, 2026 - Oklahoma State Representative Justin Humphrey's assertion that colonoscopies can cause cancer continues to reverberate, sparking intense debate and raising serious public health concerns. Made during a House committee meeting last week, the claims have been met with swift and forceful rejection from the medical community, alongside growing anxiety about the potential for widespread misinformation to deter life-saving cancer screenings.

Representative Humphrey, referencing anecdotal accounts, specifically a story from a personal friend, stated he had "heard from several people that have had [colonoscopies] and gotten cancer as a result." He posited that the procedure itself might be the direct cause of the cancer development. This directly challenges established medical consensus and decades of rigorous scientific research demonstrating the benefits of colonoscopies in colorectal cancer prevention.

The Critical Role of Colonoscopies in Cancer Prevention

Colorectal cancer remains a significant public health challenge, consistently ranking among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Colonoscopies are considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, enabling doctors to visualize the entire colon and rectum, identify potentially precancerous polyps, and remove them before they develop into malignancy. This proactive approach has demonstrably reduced both the incidence and mortality rates associated with this disease.

Dr. Emily Carter, a gastroenterologist at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, emphatically refuted Humphrey's claims. "There is absolutely no scientific basis for the assertion that colonoscopies cause cancer. To the contrary, the overwhelming body of evidence supports the fact that colonoscopies are incredibly effective in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer - and in many cases, saving lives." Dr. Carter went on to explain the meticulous infection control protocols employed during colonoscopies, significantly mitigating any potential risk.

Digging Deeper: Risks vs. Benefits and the 'Post-Polypectomy Syndrome' Misconception

While all medical procedures carry inherent risks, the risk associated with colonoscopies is exceptionally low. Complications such as perforation or bleeding are rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases. These risks are significantly outweighed by the potential benefits of early cancer detection and prevention.

Some believe the origin of these claims lies in a misinterpretation of a phenomenon sometimes referred to as "post-polypectomy syndrome," where a patient develops symptoms after a polyp removal that are mistaken for cancer. However, these symptoms are almost always benign, representing inflammation or other temporary reactions to the procedure and not cancer. Proper follow-up care will quickly resolve such instances. Furthermore, the development of interval cancers - cancers that develop between screenings - is a separate issue entirely and does not negate the overall effectiveness of the screening program. These are often attributable to the limitations of any screening test, or the incomplete nature of the bowel preparation prior to the test.

The Spread of Misinformation: A Growing Threat

The current situation highlights a broader and increasingly alarming trend: the proliferation of unsubstantiated medical claims, particularly through social media and online platforms. Humphrey's reliance on anecdotal evidence, rather than peer-reviewed studies or reputable medical data, exemplifies the dangers of accepting information at face value.

Medical experts warn that such misinformation can have devastating consequences, leading individuals to forgo potentially life-saving screenings out of fear or misunderstanding. This delay in detection often results in later-stage diagnoses, requiring more aggressive treatment and significantly reducing chances of survival.

Responsibility and Accountability: A Call for Credible Communication

The incident has ignited calls for greater responsibility and accountability from public officials regarding health-related statements. Experts emphasize the crucial role of leaders in promoting accurate information and avoiding the dissemination of unsubstantiated claims that could jeopardize public health. It's imperative to rely on credible sources like the American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and qualified medical professionals.

As of today, Representative Humphrey's office has not issued a retraction or clarification of his original statements. The Oklahoma State Medical Association has announced it is preparing a formal response, urging the Representative to reconsider his position and prioritize public health. The AMA and other national medical groups are watching the situation closely, with some calling for sensitivity training for elected officials on interpreting and communicating medical information. The debate is expected to continue, with public health advocates stressing the importance of informed decision-making when it comes to cancer screening and preventative care.