Every year, about 150,000 people receive a colon cancer diagnosis in the United States, and nearly 50,000 of those diagnosed die. Colon cancer screening reduces your risk of developing colon cancer and may save your life. At Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida in The Villages, Leesburg, and Brownwood Paddock Square in Wildwood, Florida, Nehme Gabriel, MD, and Raj Borade, MD, perform colon cancer screening. To schedule your screening, call the office most convenient to you, or book an appointment online today.
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that develops in your colon, which is the final section of your digestive system and includes your large intestine and rectum. Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States.
It usually starts as a small benign growth called a polyp. When left untreated, the polyp turns cancerous.
The goal of colon cancer screening is to find and remove benign polyps to reduce your risk of developing colon cancer.
Your primary care provider or gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida can tell you when you need a colon cancer screening. In general, adults should start screening between the ages of 45 and 50.
However, you may benefit from colon cancer screening at an earlier age if you’re at greater risk of developing colon cancer. Risk factors include:
If you have concerns about colon cancer and want to know more about colon cancer screening, the gastroenterologists at Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida are more than happy to answer your questions.
There are many colon cancer screening tools. Though some screening tools provide more information than others.
The types of colon cancer screening options include:
Though you have many colon cancer screening options, a colonoscopy is considered the gold standard screening test.
During a colonoscopy, your doctor at Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida evaluates the entire length of your colon and removes and tests any polyps found during the procedure.
Though a colonoscopy requires more preparation and is more invasive than the other screening tools, if your other tests come back positive, you may then need a colonoscopy.
Colon cancer screening saves lives. To schedule your screening, call Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida, or book online today.
