|
April
22, 2004 -- What if you could have 10 worry-free years
about your risk for colon cancer? If you
have a colonoscopy, and the results are
normal, you can. Colon cancer (also
known as colorectal cancer) is preventable, but
only if the polyps that lead to it are found early.
That’s why screenings are important. It can be
awkward to talk about, but don’t let that stop you!
Who Is at Risk?
If
you are 50 or older, talk to your doctor about screening options.
You may need to
get screened at a younger age if you have a family
history of colorectal cancer or if you are experiencing
symptoms, which include a change in
bowel habits, blood in stool and pain or discomfort
during bowel movements. There are often no
symptoms or symptoms develop later.
Screening
VIRTUAL
COLONOSCOPY: THE FUTURE IS NOW
The
University of Virginia offers one of the most recent technological
innovations to examine the
colon—one that is fast becoming
an important diagnostic tool.
Virtual colonoscopy uses CT scan
technology to see inside the colon
without the use of any scopes. In
December, the New England
Journal of Medicine reported that
results for cancer screening done
with virtual colonoscopy were
comparable to those done with traditional
colonoscopy. However, at
the present time, virtual
colonoscopy is not covered by
insurance for colon cancer screening.
The procedure is covered for
patients with medical conditions
including abdominal pain, constipation,
gastrointestinal bleeding
and abnormal weight loss.
Talk
to your doctor or call 434-243-6940 for more information.
To
schedule a virtual colonoscopy, call
434-243-6888. |
Colonoscopy
is considered the “gold standard” in
colorectal cancer screening and is among the
screening tests recommended by the American
Gastroenterological Association. Your colonoscopy can be as quick
as
15 minutes, and in most cases, it doesn’t need to
be done again for 10 years. In Virginia, the test is
covered by insurance for everyone age 50 and
older. It’s a new state law.
Doctors
and nurses who work in U.Va.’s
Digestive Health Center of Excellence (DHCoE)
are experts in colonoscopy—the screening test
UVa recommends for colon cancer. Patients
receive anesthesia before the test, so they experience
no discomfort. Colonoscopy catches the overwhelming
majority of precancerous polyps. Most
of the time, these polyps can be removed during
the test. And there is always a colorectal surgeon
on site who can look at the colon if an abnormality
that might require surgery is detected. In 2003,
U.S. News & World Report ranked the DHCoE as
one of the best digestive disorder departments in
the nation.
Not So Bad After All
“We preserve a patient’s
dignity during the examination. Most people who have the procedure
done
don’t have any serious findings, so they can bereassured.
For those who do, we can start solving the problem,” says Dr. Antoinette Saddler of the
DHCoE.
Call
the Digestive Health Center of Excellence at 434-924-9999 to
schedule a colonoscopy.
They will walk you through everything you
need to do to get an appointment.
Colorectral
Screening Options
If you are 50 or older, talk to your doctor
about which colorectal screening option is
best for you:
•
Colonoscopy — A
doctor uses a flexible tube with a
camera to examine the
entire colon. Usually performed
every 10 years.
•
Virtual colonoscopy — uses CT technology to
see the colon without scopes.
• Fecal
occult blood test — This
test examines a small amount of stool for any hidden
blood. Usually performed
every year.
• Flexible
sigmoidoscopy — A
doctor uses a flexible tube with a camera to examine
the lower one-third of the
colon. Usually performed
every five years.
• Double-contrast
barium enema — This test doesn’t
require inserting a scope
into the colon. Patients are
given an enema containing
barium; X-rays are then
taken as air is introduced
into the colon. Usually performed
every five years.
|
