COLONOSCOPY
Q: Why is my healthcare provider recommending a colonoscopy?
A: A Colonoscopy is a test that allows a general surgeon or gastroenterologist to look at the inner lining of your large intestine (colon & rectum). He or she uses a thin flexible scope (colonscope) to perform the procedure. The principle goal is to find any suspicious growths (cancerous or precancerous) or other abnormal conditions that may be present within the large intestine. It is the diagnostic test of choice in finding colorectal cancer (CRC), which is the 3rd most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States. CRC generally occurs as a progression of an adenomatous polyp into a malignancy. Most healthcare providers recommend a colonoscopy starting at age 50 and every 10 years thereafter until age 75, if the initial colonoscopy was completely normal. People who have an increased risk of getting CRC, and those with diseases of the colon such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, may require screening at a younger age. Other screening options have been recommended by the US Preventative Services Task Force, to talk to you healthcare professional about which test may be most appropriate for you.
Rod White, PA-C
Questions can be submitted directly to the providers, called in to Mercy Clinic at 417/876-5851 or submitted through their new App mymercy.net.
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