As many as 6% of the people in the United States develop colon cancer at some point in their lives, and for cancers that affect both women and men, colon cancer sits behind lung cancer as the nation’s leading cause of cancer deaths.
At Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida, we know that colonoscopy saves lives since detecting colorectal cancer in its early stages can be treated. A simple and well-tolerated exam, colonoscopy inspects the lining of the colon and rectum for precancerous and cancerous polyps, and we’re often able to remove these polyps at the same time they’re found.
Here’s what you need to know about colonoscopies and how they save lives. If you’re overdue for colorectal cancer screening, contact us as soon as possible.
A form of minimally invasive diagnostic evaluation, colonoscopy gives our physicians an unobstructed view of the large intestine’s lining. As well as detecting intestinal polyps, colonoscopy can help diagnose gastrointestinal conditions and diseases, including Crohn’s disease, colitis, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, and sources of intestinal bleeding.
Colonoscopy can be diagnostic, preventive, or therapeutic, sometimes performing these roles simultaneously. Most people have their first colonoscopy as a preventive step against colorectal cancer.
If our physician can detect the presence of polyps during this test and remove them upon discovery, this creates only a short gap between diagnosis and treatment. Depending on the polyps' development stage, they are sometimes removed before they turn cancerous.
The statistical risk of colorectal cancer climbs as you get older. It’s time to request a colonoscopy if any of the following situations apply to you:
Your primary care provider may recommend a colonoscopy to investigate problems or symptoms with your digestive system.
A colonoscopy is the most effective way to screen for colorectal cancer. It has the best chance of detecting problems before cancer starts, and you can often be treated in the same session.
Home testing for colon cancer can only detect active cancer. Other medical procedures, such as barium enema X-rays and sigmoidoscopy, must be repeated more often than colonoscopy. However, in some cases, results from different methods must be confirmed through colonoscopy anyway.
Contact Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida today to schedule your colonoscopy appointment by phone or online.
