Gastroenterology & Digestive Disorders

Colonoscopy screening

Did you know that a colonoscopy screening is the gold standard for prevention of colon cancer?

A colonoscopy is the only test that allows your doctor to find and remove polyps during the same exam. That means removal of abnormal tissue before it grows into cancer.

Here's why a colonoscopy is the right choice to lower risk of colon cancer.

1 test to detect and remove polyps
1 hour exam that can detect signs of cancer early when more options for treatment are available
90% survival rate when cancer is found and treated early
10-year screening interval with a clean result
89% reduction in cancer incidences
100% coverage by insurance for preventive screenings
45 recommended age for first colonoscopy if at average risk

At-home stool tests

You may choose a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) that you can do at home. The test looks for blood in the stool, which can occur for many reasons.

FIT is considered a less effective cancer prevention tool. It detects colon cancer once it’s already present, which may mean the disease is in a later stage. FIT detects precancerous polyps 42.4% of the time, on average, according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

If a FIT is positive, a diagnostic colonoscopy determines if polyps or cancer are present in the colon. A colonoscopy also is the only way to remove abnormal tissue or precancerous polyps.

If a FIT is negative, doctors recommend repeating at-home stool tests every year.

Choose the right test for you

Colonoscopy is the best screening option if you are at average risk for developing colon cancer. If you have a family history of colon cancer or a personal history of colon polyps or colon cancer, it's the only recommended test.

Use this chart as a guide to review which test fits your needs.

What to expect with a colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is considered an outpatient screening. That means you are in and out of the medical site in the same day.

Your doctor will give you a mild sedative to help you sleep comfortably during the procedure. You will need a friend or family member to drive you home after your procedure. Most patients resume normal activities within 24 hours of their screening.

Colonoscopy prep instructions

What to know about polyps

Polyps grow on the inner wall of the colon and rectum. Not all polyps are cancerous, but some polyps may turn into cancer. Precancerous polyps can grow for a long time without causing symptoms before they become cancer.

The earlier polyps are removed, the less risk of developing colon cancer.

Quality matters when it comes to colonoscopy

Our specialists at Goshen Physicians Gastroenterology 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 detection rates of precancerous polyps during a screening colonoscopy. For every 1% increase in your doctor’s ADR, your risk of colon cancer decreases by 3%.

The American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has recognized our GI specialists for their commitment to provide safe, high-quality endoscopic care. We are the only endoscopy provider in north central Indiana to hold three-year certification from ASGE.