It’s March – which means Colon Cancer Awareness Month for 2020 has begun! This year I’m going to help promote awareness of this treatable cancer by explaining why gastroenterologists prefer colonoscopy over stool or imaging tests when screening for colorectal cancer.
The key to beating colon cancer is to follow the recommended screening guidelines. When detected in the early stages, colon cancer is very treatable. If you’re 45+ years of age, please discuss with your doctor when you should be screened. Those with a family history of colon cancer or polyps will start screening for colon cancer at an earlier age.
Important health maintenance procedures like colon cancer screening are critical to our health and should not be ignored. I encourage everyone to have discussions with their doctor at their annual physical regarding health maintenance exams that they should be planning. Also, please help me spread this potentially life-saving message this March by sharing with friends & family. Thank you!
Colonoscopy is the Gold Standard Exam
Colonoscopy is THE colon cancer screening exam recommended by gastroenterologists. This is because it is the only exam that allows the physician to view the entire colon and then both detect and remove polyps at the same time. This distinction makes colonoscopy the best colon cancer screening option available.
While other forms of colon cancer testing, such as fecal occult blood testing, Cologuard (another stool test) and virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) can evaluate for the presence of polyps, none of these tests allows for the removal of polyps. If the results of one of these tests are positive, a patient will need to have a colonoscopy as the next step in their care.
Please visit our colonoscopy webpage to learn more about at what age you should be screened for colon cancer, exam prep tips, and costs.
NOTE: Testing positive with a stool or imaging test will then require a diagnostic colonoscopy, which will not be 100% covered by insurance (copays and deductibles will apply). I would encourage you to discuss this factor with your doctor when deciding which test is best for you.
Do I need to have an office visit prior to scheduling a colonoscopy?
My practice offers a colonoscopy scheduling option called Open Access or Direct Access Colonoscopy to qualifying patients. We do this to help reduce patient costs and encourage higher colon cancer screening participation in the Fort Worth, TX area.
If you have any questions about open access colonoscopy, please call us at 817-267-8470 and our staff would be happy to answer any questions.
Colon Cancer Awareness Events – DFW 2020
Whether you have a personal connection to colon cancer or want to help raise awareness, the DFW area has some great events in which you can participate. I’ve provided basic information for each event below along with links to their respective websites.
National Dress Blue Day
• Date: Friday, March 6, 2020
• Event Info: click here
• Great opportunity to increase awareness at the office or with friends & family!
Colorectal Cancer 5k Walk-A-Thon
• Date: Saturday, March 14, 2020
• Location: 1675 Republic Pkwy, Mesquite, TX
• Event Info: click here
Get Your Rear in Gear
• Date: Saturday, March 21, 2020
• Location: Trinity Park – 2201 W 7th St., Fort Worth, TX
• Event Info: click here
Colorectal Cancer Alliance Undy Run/Walk
• Date: TBD*
• Location: TBD
• Event Info: click here
*The 2019 Dallas event was in November, so I would expect late Fall for 2020 as well.
