March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National colorectal cancer awareness month reminds us that early detection is key. Screenings help prevent colorectal cancer or find it early, when treatment works best. To learn more about your colorectal health and to see if you qualify for Goshen Health’s free in-home screening test, visit ShareAStool.com.
Talk to your doctor about colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is the best screening to find polyps, which can be precancerous growths. Also, it is the only test that allows for removal of polyps during the exam.
Talk with your primary care doctor about risk factors and your family history to determine when you need to have a colonoscopy.
Quality matters when it comes to colonoscopy
Our gastroenterology specialists are highly skilled in finding and safely removing polyps before they become cancerous. In fact, their adenoma detection rates or ADR are above the national benchmark.
ADR measures how well a doctor detects precancerous growths or polyps during a screening colonoscopy. Recent studies* have shown that for every one percent increase in your doctor’s ADR, your risk of colon cancer decreases by three percent. Risk of a fatal colon cancer developing before your next colonoscopy also decreases by five percent.
In addition, Goshen Health is the only endoscopy provider in north central Indiana to hold certification from the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. This distinction recognizes our commitment to provide high-quality, safe endoscopic care.
To learn more about our gastroenterology team, visit our website or call (574) 537-1625 to schedule an appointment.
* New England Journal of Medicine: "Quality indicators for colonoscopy and the risk of interval cancer."
