Colon Cancer Screening Specialist

Gastroenterology and Nutrition of Central Florida

Gastroenterologists & Certified Nutritionists located in The Villages, Leesburg, & Wildwood, FL

Every year, about 150,000 people receive a colon cancer diagnosis in the United States, and nearly 50,000 of those diagnosed die. Colon cancer remains the second cause of cancer mortality in the US. Colon cancer screening with colonoscopy reduces your risk of developing colon cancer and may save your life. Other screening modalities have higher rates of missing colon cancer. For example, Cologuard stool test misses 8% of colon cancer and more than 50% of precancerous polyps. Our highly experienced doctors at Gastroenterology and Nutrition perform thousands of colonoscopies every year. To schedule your colonoscopy, call the office most convenient to you, or book an appointment online today.

Colon Cancer Screening Q & A

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that develops in your colon, which is the final section of your digestive system and includes your large intestine and rectum. Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States.

It usually starts as a small benign growth called a polyp. When left untreated, the polyp turns cancerous.

The goal of colon cancer screening is to find and remove benign polyps to reduce your risk of developing colon cancer.

When do I need a colon cancer screening?

Your primary care provider or gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida can tell you when you need a colon cancer screening. In general, adults should start screening between the ages of 45 and 50.

However, you may benefit from colon cancer screening at an earlier age if you’re at greater risk of developing colon cancer. Risk factors include:

Family history of colon cancer
Personal history of breast cancer
Crohn’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
History of polyps
An inherited gene mutation that increases your risk of colon cancer

If you have concerns about colon cancer and want to know more about colon cancer screening, the gastroenterologists at Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida are more than happy to answer your questions.

What are the types of colon cancer screening?

There are many colon cancer screening tools. Though some screening tools provide more information than others.

The types of colon cancer screening options include:

Stool blood test (annual test)
Cologuard stool test (every 3 years)
Blood test
Virtual colonoscopy
Colonoscopy (repeated every 10 years)

Though you have many colon cancer screening options, colonoscopy is considered the gold standard screening test because it can remove precancerous polyps and has the lowest rate of missing cancer. For example, Cologuard can miss 8% of colon cancers and more than 50% of precancerous polyps.

During a colonoscopy, your doctor at Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida evaluates the entire length of your colon and removes and tests any polyps found during the procedure.

Though a colonoscopy requires more preparation and is more invasive than the other screening tools, if your other tests come back positive, you may then need a colonoscopy.

Colon cancer screening saves lives. To schedule your screening, call Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida, or book online today.

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