Submitted by Digestive Disease Endoscopy Center
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in both men and women. It is extremely preventable if polyps that lead to the cancer are detected and removed, and it is very curable if the cancer is detected in its early stages. In fact, 90 percent of these deaths can be prevented with a simple colon screening. So why are there still so many people that should be getting screened, but aren’t? A colonoscopy is not painful, it takes about 30 minutes, and now there is one less excuse for you to put it off — it may not even cost you anything!
Screening Colonoscopy
A screening colonoscopy is performed on a patient who does not have signs or symptoms in the lower gastrointestinal tract prior to the scheduled test. Any symptom prior to the procedure that is noted by the physician in your medical record could change this from a screening colonoscopy to a diagnostic colonoscopy. The symptoms of colon cancer include, but are not limited to:
- Change in bowel habits
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Rectal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Unintended weight loss
- Anemia
Diagnostic Colonoscopy
A diagnostic colonoscopy is performed when other symptoms or tests indicate the presence of colon changes that are of concern. The procedure is the same, but the reason for performing it is different.
According to Dr. Philip Koszyk, medical director at Digestive Disease Endoscopy Center, “People do not always notice symptoms with colon cancer, which is why having a screening colonoscopy is so important.”
If you or someone you know has been postponing their screening due to financial circumstances, now is the time to reconsider. If you are age 50 or older and have commercial insurance coverage, your preventative care visits, including screening colonoscopy, could be at no cost to you. If you have had a colonoscopy in the past 10 years and the result indicated you have a history of colon polyps, or you are under the age of 50, you may not qualify for a free screening. Prior to receiving services, call your insurance company to confirm that a colonoscopy is a covered benefit without any cost sharing.
The medical community encourages you to take care of your health and be your own advocate when it comes to health maintenance. Colorectal cancer is extremely preventable. A screening or wellness visit can truly mean the difference between life or death. So don’t wait! Call and make your appointment today.
Digestive Disease Endoscopy Center is conveniently located at 1302 Franklin Avenue, Ste 1000, in Normal. For more information, you may visit their website www.giendo.org or phone 309-268-3400.
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