Colon Cancer Screening Specialist

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the colon. Most colon cancer starts as a polyp, a growth that appears on the colon's innermost lining.

In most cases, polyps are benign but can turn cancerous. A colon cancer screening finds polyps and removes them, lowering your risk of developing colon cancer.

When do I need a colon cancer screening?

Current guidelines recommend adults start colon cancer screenings at age 45 and continue screenings until age 75. You may need a colon cancer screening at a younger age if you have a history of polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or a family history of colon cancer. 

Many tests screen for colon cancer, but colonoscopy is the gold-standard test. 

Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg has Open Access Colonoscopy, which is a program that allows healthy patients with no gastrointestinal issues to schedule their routine colon cancer screening without an additional office visit.

What steps do I need to take to prepare for a colon cancer screening?

The Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg team talks to you about bowel preparation for your colon cancer screening when you schedule your test. To get the best results, you can’t have any stool or debris in your large intestine.

The team at Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg provides specific instructions on how to clean out your colon. These might include limiting your fiber intake before your test and following a clear liquid diet the day before.

You then take a laxative the night before you rest to clean out all the stool from your colon.

What happens during colon cancer screening?

Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg performs your colon cancer screening at their endoscopy center. While you lie on your side on the exam table, your provider gives you a mild sedative to help you relax during the test.

They insert a colonoscope — a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera — into your anus and slowly advance it through the entire length of your large intestine. The test takes about 30 minutes.

If your provider finds polyps, they’re removed and sent to the lab for analysis.

For a routine screening with normal results, the practice sends the information to you in the mail, so there’s no need to come back in for an appointment.

Schedule your colon cancer screening at Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg by calling or booking online today.