Colon Cancer Screening Specialist

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is cancer that begins in your colon, or large intestine, and can spread to other parts of your body if you don’t find it and take action. You can get colon cancer at any age, and it almost always begins in the form of polyps. 

Polyps are precancerous growths that are easy for your gastroenterologist to remove without causing damage to your colon. Polyps by themselves generally don’t cause any symptoms, but progressed colon cancer can cause:

• Weight loss
• Weakness or fatigue
• Bloody stool
• Gas, pain, or cramps

You can get colon cancer screenings regardless of whether or not you have any symptoms. In fact, you should get colon cancer screenings regularly, especially later in life.

When should I get colon cancer screenings?

The Center for Disease Control suggests starting your colon cancer screenings at age 50 or as directed by your physician. This is because a whopping 90% of colon cancer cases appear in patients age 50 or older. 

The team at Long Island Gastro may suggest that you start screenings earlier than 50 if you:

• Have family members with colon cancer or polyps
• Have Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory conditions in your bowels
• Already had colon cancer at some point in your life

After age 75, your physician might tell you you can stop getting regular colon cancer screenings.

What happens during a colon cancer screening?

When you come to Long Island Gastro for a colon cancer screening, you can expect a process with several possible steps. They can be split into two categories:

Stool tests

For a stool test, you’ll be asked to provide a sample of your stool. The team uses the sample to search for blood, cancerous DNA, and other components that could indicate the presence of polyps or cancer.

Structural exams

Also called visual exams, structural exams like colonoscopies or CT scans allow your physician to view the inside of your colon to search for polyps or other abnormalities. These tests usually call for more preparation than stool tests, but you’ll get instructions prior to your appointment.

If you’re over the age of 50 or know family members with colon polyps or cancer, don’t hesitate to book your first colon cancer screening at Long Island Gastro today. You can request an appointment by calling the office or using the online booking tool.