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Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among adults in the United States.

A colonoscopy screening can help save your life.

Colon cancer does not always exhibit symptoms, increasing the importance to schedule regular screenings. According to the American Cancer Society, colonoscopy screenings and polyp removal aide in prevention of colon cancer and decrease the number of colorectal cancer deaths.

Individuals with no family history of colorectal disease should have a colonoscopy by age 45. For those with a family history, the age for your initial screening is 10 years before your family member’s colorectal disease occurred. For example, if a family member was diagnosed at 35 years old, you should schedule a colonoscopy at 25 years old.

Colonoscopies are a safe and effective way to examine the full lining of the colon and rectum, diagnose colorectal problems and ensure your health. At Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists, our colorectal specialists perform over 12,000 colorectal procedures every year.

Why A Colorectal Specialist?

Colonoscopies can be performed by both a gastroenterologist and a colorectal physician. If the results of your colonoscopy determine additional treatment is required, a highly trained colorectal surgical specialist is often the provider of choice to provide advanced care. Early diagnosis and treatment by a colorectal expert could save your life.

Most Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists are certified by the American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery, the premier society for surgeons specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of colon and rectal disorders. As board-certified surgeons, Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists physicians share proficiency in the field of general surgery, but have also completed advanced training in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of colon and rectal diseases and disorders.

Regardless of whether you have a family history, colorectal cancer screening is a proactive step in managing personal health.

Why A Colorectal Specialist?

When And Why Should You Get Screened?

Patients without a family history of colon and rectal disease should have their first colonoscopy by the age of 45. For those with a family history of colorectal disease, the screening age is 10 years before your family member’s colorectal disease first occurred. Certain high-risk individuals should be screened by age 20.

There Are Three Main Reasons To Schedule Your Colonoscopy:


SCREENING COLONOSCOPY

A colonoscopy is the most accurate method for the early detection of polyps and colon cancer, with the ability to identify other colorectal disorders and reduce the need for complex treatment plans and procedures.

A major step toward the prevention of colon cancer is removal of polyps identified during a colonoscopy. Polyps are abnormal cells growing in the lining of the colon or rectum, a common condition affecting 15 to 20 percent of the adult population. Our colorectal surgical specialists have a significantly higher rate of polyp detection and removal than the national average.

DIAGNOSTIC COLONOSCOPY

When symptoms are present, a colonoscopy is used to confirm colorectal diseases or understand the underlying cause of unexplained abdominal and rectal symptoms or irritable bowel syndrome. Diagnostic colonoscopies are also used to locate colorectal polyps and tumors, and test high-risk patients with a history of cancer.

THERAPEUTIC COLONOSCOPY

When polyps are found and removed during a screening, the procedure becomes a therapeutic colonoscopy. At Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists, this process, along with the treatment of other issues during the colonoscopy, is achieved using an advanced screening procedure known as a high-resolution colonoscopy.

High-Resolution Colonoscopy Versus Virtual Colonoscopy

Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists prefer high-resolution colonoscopies over virtual colonoscopies due to its ability to detect smaller polyps and other changes in the lining of the colon and allow for the removal of abnormal cells during the procedure.

While virtual colonoscopies require the same prep before the procedure, the patient is not sedated. During the virtual colonoscopy, a tube is inserted into the rectum to produce 2D and 3D images of the colon. If abnormal cells are detected during the virtual colonoscopy, the patient must still undergo a second high-resolution colonoscopy procedure for removal.

High-Resolution Colonoscopy Versus Virtual Colonoscopy

What to Expect

Most colonoscopies are outpatient procedures with minimal discomfort. Prior to your colonscopy, patients are required to follow our preparation instructions which may vary by provider. The day of procedure, a sedative will be administered, unless otherwise requested by the patient. If sedation is chosen, the patient will need to arrange for someone to drive them home after the procedure.

During the procedure, your specialist uses a tubular instrument with a camera (colonscope) to diagnose problems, perform biopsies, and detect and remove most polyps without abdominal surgery. The removal of polyps is a major step toward preventing colorectal cancer.

The Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists video resource guide provides additional information on colonoscopies.

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Test Your Colorectal Health

More than 3 million Americans fall victim to colon cancer each year. Check your colorectal health with this simple quiz.

1Are you 45 and over?

2Are you African-American?

**African-Americans have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of all racial groups in the United States.

3Have you had ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease?

4Has anybody in your family had colorectal cancer or pre-cancerous polyps?

5Do you lead a sedentary lifestyle?

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If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you may be at an increased risk of colon or rectal cancer. Prevention of these cancers is easier than treatment and begins with an evaluation by one of our board certified colorectal specialistsSchedule an appointment now
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