Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer screening can save your life. People travel from all over to see Tahmina Haq, MD, at Advanced Gastroenterology & Liver Institute in Anaheim, Santa Ana, Fullerton, and Huntington Beach, California, for their colon cancer screening. Dr. Haq is known for her compassionate care and high adenoma detection rate. Call the nearest office today or schedule your colon cancer screening online.

What is colon cancer screening?

Colon cancer screening refers to various medical tests that look for colon cancer before you have symptoms. Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, develops in the inner lining of the colon or rectum (large intestine).

Most colon cancers develop from benign colon polyps, wart-like growths found on the inner lining of the large intestine. It takes about 10 years for a benign polyp to turn cancerous. 

Colon cancer screening finds and removes colon polyps, reducing your risk of colon cancer. A screening may also find colon cancer during the early stages, when it’s more responsive to treatment. 

When do I need colon cancer screening?

Current guidelines urge you to start colon cancer screenings at age 45 and continue them until 75. 

However, you may need to start screenings sooner if you have a family history of colon cancer, a personal history of colon polyps, or an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (UC).

What are the types of colon cancer screening?

Many tests are available for colon cancer screening. Options include:

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the gold standard test for colon cancer screening. During this procedure, your gastroenterologist at Advanced Gastroenterology & Liver Institute evaluates the entire lining of your large intestine and removes all colon polyps. 

You may only need to repeat your colonoscopy every 10 years.

Stool testing

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT), fecal immunochemical test (FIT), and stool DNA tests collect samples of stool and look for invisible blood or abnormal cells that might indicate colon cancer. You repeat stool testing every year.

If your stool testing comes back positive, you need a colonoscopy.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that evaluates the lower part of your large intestine. It’s less invasive than a colonoscopy and is often combined with an annual stool test.

CT colonography

A CT colonography is an imaging test that takes detailed pictures of your colon and rectum. Your doctor may recommend this test if they’re unable to complete a colonoscopy.

Advanced Gastroenterology & Liver Institute can talk to you about colon cancer screening and the tests that make the best choice for you. 

The gastroenterologist is known for her high adenoma detection rate of 65%. The standard high adenoma detection rate is 25%. A higher adenoma detection rate is associated with better protection against colon cancer.

Call Advanced Gastroenterology & Liver Institute today or request your colon cancer screening online.