Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States. It develops in the large intestine, and it often doesn’t cause symptoms until it’s advanced.
The good news is that colonoscopy is a minimally invasive screening that detects early signs of cancer to keep it from becoming deadly. Colonoscopies involve inserting a small camera into the rectum and examining the lining of the large intestine.
Most people get anxious at the thought of getting a colonoscopy, and it can be tempting to put off scheduling your screening. But, the truth is that it’s a relatively quick and painless procedure, and it could save your life.
At the Center for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery, located in Peoria, Arizona, Rachel Alt, MD, Brian Prebil, DO, and our team specialize in colonoscopies to diagnose digestive symptoms and screen for colorectal cancer.
Not sure if you need to get a colonoscopy? You could benefit from a colonoscopy if…
You have certain digestive symptoms
Your colon is part of your large intestine, along with your rectum. The colon plays an essential role in digestion because it absorbs water and nutrients from food.
If you have a digestive health issue, it could be caused by a problem with your colon. Colonoscopy can help our team diagnose symptoms like:
- Abdominal pain
- Chronic constipation
- Chronic diarrhea
- Persistent gas
- Rectal bleeding
- Unexplained weight loss
These symptoms may indicate digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Colonoscopy can detect these conditions, so you can start a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms.
You’re over age 45
Even if you don’t have digestive or intestinal symptoms, our team may recommend a colonoscopy for you.
Why? Because it’s one of the best ways to screen for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, but colonoscopy can detect it when it’s still in early stages — when it’s most treatable.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults begin colonoscopy screenings at age 45 if they have an average risk of colorectal cancer. If your results come back normal, you won’t need another screening for about 10 years.
You have a history of colorectal polyps
Colorectal polyps are small clumps of cells that form inside the colon or rectum. While most polyps aren’t cancerous, some may be precancerous.
If you’ve been diagnosed with colorectal polyps, you may need additional colonoscopies to monitor or treat your condition. Our team works with you to develop a screening schedule based on your medical history, risk factors, and current health needs.
Don’t put off preventive health screenings. Contact us to find out if you should schedule a colonoscopy. Call our Peoria, Arizona, office at 623-227-2581 or send us a message online today.
