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Colorectal Cancer Screenings -- 718.780.3851
NYM doctors discuss colon cancer. WATCH VIDEO!!!
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Since colon cancer has no early warning symptoms, awareness of the disease and timely screening tests are key to prevention, detection and successful treatment. Up to 90 percent of colorectal cancer deaths can be prevented through early detection and timely removal of pre-cancerous polyps from the colon.
The American College of Gastroenterology (the study of digestive disorders) recommends that every individual be screened for colon cancer at age 50 and every ten years thereafter. Those with increased risks (such as a family history of colon cancer) may need more frequent screenings that begin at an earlier age.
A range of diagnostic tests is used to screen for and diagnose colon cancer. After an examination and evaluation, your physician or a gastroenterologist at the Institute will recommend these diagnostic tests, based on your personal circumstances. In most cases, the test will be performed in a modern endoscopy suite.
The diagnostics tests used for screening for cancer are:
- Colonoscopy (a test to look inside the rectum and colon) and sigmoidoscopy (a test to look inside the rectum and sigmoid colon)
- Surveillance colonoscopy (for patients known to have polyps)
- Endoscopic ultrasound (provides the most accurate means to gauge the size and depth of penetration of tumors; it may also be used to detect tumors of the esophagus or pancreas)
- PET scanning (Positron Emission Tomography, which can identify even very small metastatic tumors)
If colon cancer is detected, the stage at which it is found will play a major part in the development of the treatment plan. A gastroenterologist (a doctor who specializes in stomach and intestine disorders) will recommend a treatment, which may include the following:
For more information on cancer services at NYM, click here.
For more information on digestive disorders, call 718.780.3851.
Download a fact sheet on colon cancer
Learn more about colon cancer at:
American Cancer Society:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/ped_5.asp?from=ColonHome08
Centers for Disease Control: http://cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/faq.htm
National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal
New York State Department of Health: http://www.health.state.ny.us/statistics/cancer/registry/abouts/colorectal.htm
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