Learn How a Simple Colonoscopy Screening Could Save Your Life
Summary: While you may not look forward to it, a colonoscopy could mean the difference between life and death, as it can detect cancer and other conditions.
We do various tasks on a day-to-day basis to maintain our wellness, like caring for our teeth, eating well, and exercising. But there's one thing that often gets neglected that could actually save our lives — a colonoscopy. This crucial exam can discover and inhibit cancer, inflammatory intestinal issues, and other ailments. At Hinsdale Gastroenterology Associates, we advise having a colon cancer test every decade unless suggested otherwise. Our experienced gastrointestinal (GI) doctors routinely carry out colonoscopies for Hinsdale, IL patients.
Why get a colonoscopy procedure?
A colonoscopy is an examination of the large intestine and rectum that is performed to find variations and/or growths (polyps) that could be or become malignant. To perform this 30 to 60-minute exam, a gastrointestinal specialist will insert a tube with a video camera into the large bowel to search for any signs of colon cancer or other problems. Colonoscopies are frequently recommended as a method to:
- Detect the cause of gut discomfort, blood in the stool, chronic obstruction or diarrhea, or different issues
- Look for colorectal cancer
- Check for polyps (tissue growths that can turn cancerous if not treated)
At Hinsdale Gastroenterology Associates, we typically suggest that you see a colonoscopy doctor at about the age of 45 and return every ten years for routine screenings. However, depending on your exam results or if you have a family history of colon and rectal cancer, we may recommend you get tested at an earlier age and more frequently.
Can I just use a home colorectal cancer kit?
Many men and women wonder why a colonoscopy is required when there are advances in at-home exams. The straightforward answer is our gastrointestinal specialists can obtain a more comprehensive picture of any unusual or precancerous concerns than with a simple stool sample screening. While some men and women choose to complete these home kits, they in no way should replace a colonoscopy screening.
A home kit, for example, might not detect any polyps that have developed in the bowel. They may signal certain markers of cancer, but a colonoscopy can detect signs of cancer much quicker and more precisely than a home kit. Home tests are also not able to detect inflammatory gut issues.
Why are colonoscopies essential?
It's true that colonoscopies can seem intrusive. Nevertheless, the lifesaving effects of this test can significantly override the few minutes of awkwardness it may generate. It's crucial to stress how vital these screenings can be, specifically for patients who have a family history of colorectal cancer. Many individuals with colon or rectal cancer have no symptoms during the initial phases and may be unaware they have the illness.
A few reasons to consider making an appointment for a colonoscopy include:
- Opposed to popular opinion, the advanced preparation for a colonoscopy is not too uncomfortable.
- They are prompt and reasonably comfortable.
- This is the most effective colon cancer test.
- Though you might feel self-conscious, your GI doctor is not.
- All in all, a colonoscopy can protect your life.
In addition, a colonoscopy can detect much more than cancer. It can also confirm inflammatory gut issues, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's, in addition to diverticulosis. Like colon and rectal cancer, when identified early, these diseases can be addressed and further damage can be avoided.
Make an appointment for a colonoscopy in Hinsdale, IL
Even though you may believe there's no need for a colonoscopy, this screening can preserve your life. A colonoscopy can discover early markers of colorectal cancer, and it can additionally detect Crohn's disease and other illnesses. This routine test might be the determining factor between life and death, as our Hinsdale, IL gastrointestinal specialists are expertly trained to identify initial indicators of cancer and varying issues that might prevent cancer in the coming years. For further information on colonoscopies at Hinsdale Gastroenterology Associates, we encourage you to contact our GI team right away.