Q&A with Olympus’ CMO John de Csepel: A Professional and Personal Take on Colorectal Cancer Screening
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Global Head of Medical and Scientific Affairs at Olympus Corporation John de Csepel, MD, talks about his career and health milestones, both of which mark his commitment to advocating for colorectal cancer screening as a means for early detection and treatment.
Q: You’ve had some milestones recently. Tell us about them.
A: In October, I celebrated my one-year work anniversary as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Global Head of Medical and Scientific Affairs at Olympus Corporation. It just so happened that around this same time, I hit another milestone – I was due for my colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy. A fitting coincidence considering Olympus’ mission of early detection.
Q: Can you share a bit more about your clinical experience and how this informs your advocacy of colorectal cancer screening?
A: Throughout my career, I have treated and cared for many patients with colorectal cancer. They come to me for surgical resection, if they are in the late or invasive stage. Regular screening colonoscopy makes detection possible in the early or polyp stage, which can mean no need for surgery. Inconveniences like a bowel prep or missing a day from work for a colonoscopy seem minor compared to the potential complications and life disruptions that are associated with surgery.
Q: How does your point of view translate to your own personal health?
A: I grasp the value of a colonoscopy for my health and strongly advocate for the timeliness of a screening colonoscopy. As a father of young children, I really put a premium on staying fit. This means exercising daily, eating healthy foods, seeing my primary care physician yearly and following all recommended screening protocols for American men ranging from prostate to skin to colorectal cancer.
I was glad to hear from Gastroenterologist Dr. Lawrence Cohen, who performed my colonoscopy at Mount Sinai West Hospital in New York City, that there were no findings -- no polyps. However, I know not everyone has this outcome, which is why screening is so important and why it never crossed my mind to postpone it.
My recent colonoscopy experience reminds me of the importance of not only practicing what I preach, but also encouraging others to take proactive steps in their health journey. Indeed, this is part of the Olympus purpose. One screening can make a significant difference, potentially saving lives by catching issues early.
Chief Medical Officer John de Csepel poses with images of his clean colon after his colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy, emphasizing the crucial role of timely screenings.
Q: If someone asks you about the procedure itself, what do you tell them?
A: Many people experience anxiety or fear about this procedure, but all I can say is that the bowel prep is unpleasant. Nothing less. Nothing more. It was not painful for me. It supports the success of the procedure. For the colonoscopy itself, you may not be alert whatsoever as you are under anesthesia. That’s why many allude to it being the best nap of their life. It’s just one day, and it can make all the difference.
John de Csepel, MD, is Chief Medical Officer and Global Head of Medical and Scientific Affairs at Olympus Corporation. He continues to practice trauma and emergency surgery on the weekend at a teaching affiliate of Mt. Sinai Health System in New York.
