Colorectal cancers can be prevented with regular colonoscopies. At MedStar Health, a team of experts is ready to help. They include gastroenterologists, advanced practice clinicians, and others with special training.
A colonoscopy is a test to see inside the large intestines. Doctors use it to find growths, bleeding, or tumors. They can also remove polyps to lower cancer risk.
Understanding Colonoscopies: A Preventive Screening Procedure
Colorectal cancer is a big worry, but it’s also preventable. A colonoscopy is a key screening that helps find and stop colorectal cancer early.
Colorectal Cancer: A Preventable Concern
Colon polyps are small growths in the colon or rectum. They can turn into colorectal cancer if not caught and treated. Luckily, about 30% of colonoscopies find these polyps, letting doctors remove them before they turn cancerous.
What is a Colonoscopy and What Does it Detect?
A colonoscopy is a screening that lets doctors see the whole large intestine. They use a thin, flexible tube with a camera. This way, they can spot and remove polyps that could become cancer.
The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes. You’ll need about 24 hours to recover. Though rare, there are risks like bleeding or perforation. But, colonoscopies are mostly safe and effective in stopping cancer.
Regular screenings can help you stay healthy and lower your risk of colorectal cancer. Talk to your doctor about the benefits of colonoscopies and when you should get one.
Expertise Matters: Why Gastroenterologists are Best for Colonoscopies
Colonoscopies need a skilled doctor. Gastroenterologists are top experts in the digestive system. They are the best for colonoscopies.
Specialized Training and Experience
Gastroenterologists get extra training after medical school. They learn a lot about the digestive system. This makes them great at colonoscopies.
Other doctors might not know the colon as well. They might miss important signs.
Higher Volume of Procedures Performed
Gastroenterologists do many more colonoscopies than others. Studies show they have better results. This is because they are more experienced.
For your colon health, choose a gastroenterologist colonoscopy and colonoscopy specialist. They offer the best chance at colon cancer prevention.
Preparing for Your Colonoscopy: What to Expect
Getting ready for a colonoscopy is very important. It helps make sure the test goes well. You’ll need to eat only clear liquids and do a bowel prep to clean your colon.
Bowel Preparation: The Key to a Successful Procedure
The prep for your colonoscopy might start a week before. Your doctor will give you a special drink to clean your colon. It’s important to follow the instructions well.
Drink lots of water, about 12 8-ounce glasses a day, before your test. The day before, stick to a clear liquid diet. This includes:
- Clear broth or bouillon
- Coffee or tea without milk or creamer
- Electrolyte-containing beverages
- Gelatin
- Popsicles
- Strained fruit juices without pulp
Following these steps is key for a good test. It helps your doctor see your colon and rectum clearly. This means they can find any problems and avoid needing to do the test again.
The Procedure: A Closer Look at What Happens
During a colonoscopy, a doctor puts a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope into your rectum. This tube has a tiny camera that lets the doctor see your colon and rectum on a screen. You’ll get sedation to stay comfortable and relaxed during the 15-20 minute test.
The doctor can remove polyps or take tissue samples during the test. Polyps are common in adults and removing them can help prevent colon cancer. The whole procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
You might feel some cramping or bloating in your abdomen at first. But most people can go back to their usual activities and diet right after. If you had a virtual colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy, you can usually go back to your normal routine right away.
Even though complications are rare, there’s a small chance of perforation or bleeding. These risks are higher for older people or those who have had polyps removed. Perforation happens in about 3 out of every 10,000 procedures. Bleeding occurs in about 15 out of every 10,000 procedures.
After your colonoscopy, you might need someone to drive you home because of the sedatives. Your doctor will tell you what to expect during recovery and when you can start doing things normally again.
Post-Procedure: Recovery and Results
After your colonoscopy, you’ll wake up in the recovery room. Nurses will watch your vital signs. Your doctor will then talk to you about the results. They’ll tell you if they found any polyps or other issues.
Recovering from a colonoscopy usually takes a day. It takes about an hour to get over the sedative. Then, you can rest for the rest of the day. You might see some slight bleeding or have a normal bowel movement in 2-3 days.
- Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activities, and driving for at least 24 hours after the colonoscopy.
- Drink plenty of fluids and resume your regular diet, but avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen if polyps were removed.
- Most people can return to their normal routine within 24 hours, but it’s best to take it easy for the first week, especially if polyps were removed.
The pathology report, which looks at tissue samples, comes a few days later. If nothing was found, your next colonoscopy might be in 10 years. But, if polyps were removed, you might need a follow-up in 1-3 years.
Watch your recovery closely and call your doctor if you have severe pain, too much bleeding, or other worries. Following your doctor’s advice and going to follow-up visits is key for your colon health.
When Should You Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer?
Getting screened for colorectal cancer early is key. If you’re at average risk, start screening at 45. But, if you have a family history or certain health issues, you might need to start sooner and get checked more often.
Age and Risk Factors for Screening
Guidelines say healthy people should keep screening until 75. If you’re between 76 and 85, your doctor will help decide if you should keep screening. But, if you’re over 85, you don’t need routine screening anymore.
Those at higher risk, like those with a strong family history, should talk to their doctor. They might need to start screening earlier and get checked more often.
- The American Cancer Society recommends starting regular colorectal cancer screening at age 45 for those at average risk.
- People with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, precancerous polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or inherited genetic syndromes may need to start screening earlier.
- Individuals at high risk should talk to their doctor about the appropriate screening schedule based on their specific risk factors.
It’s important to keep up with screening guidelines and talk to your doctor about your risk. This helps keep you healthy for a long time.
What doctor does colonoscopy
Gastroenterologists are the experts for colonoscopies. They specialize in the digestive system, including the colon and rectum.
These doctors get extra training for endoscopic procedures like colonoscopies. Their training and experience make them the best for the job.
Colonoscopies done by non-gastroenterologists can lead to more problems. This includes bleeding or holes in the colon. Gastroenterologists are better at finding and removing polyps before they turn cancerous.
Choosing a gastroenterologist for your colonoscopy is key. Look for one who is board certified and has a good track record. Your health is important, so trust the experts.
The Importance of Experienced Colonoscopists
The skill of the colonoscopist is key for a good colonoscopy. An experienced colonoscopist helps reach top colonoscopy quality metrics. This means better completion rates and finding and removing polyps.
Completion Rates and Polyp Removal
Top gastroenterologists do lots of colonoscopies. They reach the cecum (the start of the large intestine) in over 90% of cases. This shows they do a good job checking the whole colon for problems.
These experienced colonoscopists also have fewer complications. They can spot and remove polyps well. Polyps can turn into cancer if not found and removed.
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) set quality standards. They want an adenoma detection rate (ADR) of 25% or more for men and 15% or more for women over 50. Colonoscopists who meet these goals do better screenings.
Qualifications to Look for in a Colonoscopy Provider
Choosing the right provider for your colonoscopy is key. Look for a board-certified gastroenterologist with lots of experience. This ensures you get the best care.
Your colonoscopist’s skills matter a lot. Studies show that people who get colonoscopies from gastroenterologists have a lower risk of dying from colorectal cancer. This is compared to those who get it from primary care doctors or general surgeons.
- Find a colonoscopist with a high adenoma detection rate (ADR). A high ADR means a lower risk of colorectal cancer and death.
- Choose someone with a lot of experience. Gastroenterologists who do many procedures are better at finding problems.
- Make sure your colonoscopist keeps learning. They should know the latest in their field to give you the best care.
By picking a provider with the right skills and knowledge, you can trust your screening. This means you can focus on staying healthy and feeling good.
Accessing Affordable Colonoscopy Screenings
Routine colorectal cancer screening through colonoscopy is key to staying healthy. But, the cost can be a big problem for those without insurance. Luckily, there are ways to get affordable or even free colorectal cancer screening.
Resources for Underinsured and Uninsured Individuals
The MedStar Health initiative in Baltimore offers free colonoscopies to those who qualify. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, talk to your doctor. They can help find affordable colonoscopy options near you.
The Affordable Care Act makes sure private insurers and Medicare cover these screenings. This means no cost for patients. But, Medicaid rules can change, so check your plan.
Groups like the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) want to make sure everyone can get screened. They fight to remove financial barriers for screenings.
By looking into these options and talking to your doctor, you can get the affordable colonoscopy screenings you need. This helps keep your colorectal health in check and catches problems early.
Conclusion
Colonoscopies by skilled gastroenterologists are key for colorectal cancer prevention. These doctors have the right training and experience. They make sure patients get the best and safest care.
By knowing how important colonoscopies are, people can help protect their health. They can find ways to get screened without breaking the bank. This way, they can play a big role in keeping themselves healthy for a long time.
Colonoscopies done by experts can really lower the risk of colorectal cancer. People who get screened by top doctors have a very low chance of getting the disease. This is much lower than those who don’t get screened.
This early check-up is crucial for catching problems early. It helps doctors treat them quickly. This leads to better health outcomes for everyone.
Putting colonoscopies first and working with top doctors is smart. It helps people take care of their health. With the right help, finding affordable screenings is easier. This lets everyone focus on colorectal cancer prevention and staying healthy.
The main thing is to see how important this test is. Make it a regular part of your health care. This way, you can stay healthy for a long time.
FAQ
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