Kick Off This New Year Right: Schedule Your Colonoscopy Screening
1/20/2023
New Year's resolutions frequently include conscious efforts to improve our health, often with changes to our food choices and exercise habits. Preemptive wellness screenings, like colon cancer screenings, can also be a great way to make sustainable improvements to our health. If you have questions about colon health or need help determining where to begin, a colon exam at San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates is an excellent place to start. Colon cancer screenings can help you maintain optimal health entering the new year. Contact one of our San Antonio, TX locations to schedule your screening today.
How many individuals are impacted by colon cancer each year?
Colorectal cancer is in the top three cancers in the United States, and early detection is the primary way to increase odds of survival. About 50,000 Americans pass from colorectal cancer annually, with the American Cancer Society estimating 106,180 new diagnoses every year.
Colorectal cancer is indeed common, and so is preventing it. A simple colonoscopy is an effective way to take control of your health. This test can help prevent and locate cancer before it reaches the advanced stages.
Why is screening for colon cancer so imperative?
Colonoscopies are considered the gold standard for colon cancer detection and prevention, and understanding their importance can help you recognize the benefits. In simple terms, early detection of colon cancer can save lives, as colon cancer is very treatable when discovered in the early stages.
Cancer of the colon generally originates from abnormal growths called polyps in the colon or rectum. Colon cancer screenings search for and can remove these colorectal polyps before they develop into colon or rectal cancer. If a precancerous growth is found during an exam, it can typically be removed during the screening.
Understanding your health is an amazing gift you can give yourself this year. When you are an informed patient, you can make better choices for your body. Our San Antonio, TX gastroenterologists are here to answer any questions you may have about colon cancer or colorectal cancer screenings.
Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?
Making decisions to better your health begins with understanding your risks for developing certain conditions, like colon cancer. Some risks for colon cancer might have an impact on your treatment plan or how often you need to undergo a screening. A few, but not all, of the risk factors for colon cancer include:
- A diet that does not consist of enough vegetables and fruits daily
- A low-fiber and high-fat diet or a diet of processed meats
- A habit or history of smoking
- Familial history of colon cancer
- Having an inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
- A past diagnosis of colon cancer
- Past radiation to your abdomen or pelvis due to a treatment for other cancers
- Minimal necessary exercise
Changes to your diet, developing a new workout schedule, and a colonoscopy are all ways individuals can work to prevent colon cancer and improve the health of your colon. A colonoscopy at San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates can help you start your journey to a new, improved version of yourself this year.
When should I schedule a colonoscopy screening this year?
Being aware of the condition of your colon is more advantageous than worrying if there’s a potential problem. A standard colonoscopy exam usually takes less than an hour, meaning your colonoscopy can fit right into your daily life just as easily as your new fitness routine.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that colonoscopy exams begin at 45 years of age for people with a standard risk for colon cancer. If you maintain optimal health and you are not at an elevated risk, a simple screening every decade is sufficient to keep you up to date on your colon health.
At 75, colonoscopy exams are typically performed based on your health as a whole and as your GI specialist suggests. Individuals with a family history of colon cancer or polyps typically are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer and may need to undergo screenings more often to protect their health.
Schedule your colonoscopy in San Antonio, TX today
Make informed decisions about your future self and begin the new year by putting your colon health into your own hands. If you are 45 or older, are at a higher risk because of your lifestyle, or have a family history of colon cancer, we encourage you to start the new year right by scheduling a colonoscopy at San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates. This safe and efficient procedure can protect your colon and overall health. Contact your nearest San Antonio, TX location to schedule a colonoscopy today.