Colonoscopies & Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal Cancer Questionnaire
A colonoscopy is often used to screen for cancer. If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you should schedule a colonoscopy:
- Are you over the age of 50?
- Do you have a family history of colon cancer?
- Do you have diarrhea and don't know why?
- Is there blood in your stool?
- Do you have anemia (a blood disorder in which the main symptom is fatigue)?
Each year nearly 150,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, often referred to as colon cancer, in the U.S. and almost 50,000 people die from it annually. The disease, however, is preventable with regular screening and is treatable with early detection. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is one of the cancers that most frequently affects men.
Colon cancer usually begins as a small polyp. While most colon polyps are benign, some do become cancerous. Colon cancer symptoms may include a change in bowel habits or bleeding, but usually colon cancer strikes without symptoms. That's why it's important to get a colonoscopy.
Screening generally begins at age 50. Talk to your doctor about starting colorectal cancer screening earlier and/or being screened more often if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
For more information on colorectal cancer and the benefits of screening, visit the CDC website.
About Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy allows for a complete evaluation of the colon and removal of potentially precancerous polyps. It is the only colorectal cancer screening tool that is both diagnostic and therapeutic.
The procedure uses a colonoscope, a tube with a light and video camera on the end, which allows the physician to see the entire colon, making it the most thorough method for evaluating the colon and rectum. If a polyp is found, the physician can remove it immediately. The polyp is then sent to the lab for analysis. If anything else looks abnormal, a biopsy might be done. This screening is done with intravenous sedation to assure comfort during the exam.
Scheduling a Colonoscopy
Queen of Peace Hospital offers weekday and Saturday appointments for colonoscopy. Appointments are available during July 2010 on the following days:
| July 2010 | |||||
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| 5 Dr. Cardwell |
6 | 7 Dr. Cardwell |
8 | 9 | 10 |
| 12 | 13 Dr. Chally Dr. Morken |
14 | 15 Dr. Weinberg |
16 | 17 Dr. Cardwell |
| 19 | 20 Dr. Chally Dr. Karulf |
21 Dr. Cardwell |
22 | 23 | 24 |
| 26 | 27 Dr. Morken |
28 | 29 Dr. Weinberg |
30 | 31 |