Colon Cancer of Awareness is Important for Everyone

Recognizing the critical importance of colon cancer awareness, the gastroenterologists and colon cancer doctors at the Digestive Health Center in Reno, Nevada, are dedicated to educating and guiding patients in this crucial health area.  March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and there are three important things you need to know about colon cancer:

1. Your personal risk. Here’s a hint: everyone has some risk of colon cancer, regardless of their age and fitness
2. The signs and symptoms
3. The best way to detect and prevent colorectal cancer

Your Risk of Colon Cancer Is Increased By:

• Although colon cancer diagnoses are on the rise in the 20-49 age group, an age group that unfortunately doesn’t tend to look out for symptoms or get screenings, colon cancer is still more common in older people. 90 percent of people diagnosed with colon cancer are over 50.
• African American ethnicity. African Americans should begin screening colonoscopies at 45 years of age.
• A personal or family history of colon cancer or polyps.
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Colon Cancer Symptoms

One of the reasons colon cancer screening is so important is that it can often be symptomless. However, you may notice these signs and symptoms :

• Changes in bowel habits, e.g. frequent diarrhea or constipation, narrowing of stools, an urge to have a bowel movement but feeling no relief afterward
• Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
• Cramping or abdominal pain
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unintended weight loss

The Best Way to Detect and Prevent Colon Cancer

If detected and treated early, the survival rate for colon cancer is 90 percent, so reliable screening is vital.

At-home colon cancer screening kits seem convenient, but they are less specific and sensitive than a colonoscopy, and prone to self-contamination. 13 percent of users will get a false positive, while others may get a false negative. Eight percent of colon cancers are missed and 58 percent of potentially precancerous adenomas go undetected. Would you ever feel truly confident in the results?

The kits may also cost more than you expect. A positive result will mean you need a colonoscopy anyway, and as a second screening, the colonoscopy may not be covered by your health insurance.

Colonoscopies are performed by highly experienced and qualified gastroenterologists. A screening colonoscopy is generally covered by insurance. If you are uninsured or must pay out of pocket, there are affordable options available and you don’t have to sacrifice quality to take advantage of those options either.

During your colonoscopy, your Reno gastroenterologist will have the chance to not only screen for cancer, but also other colorectal conditions and abnormalities. Most importantly, they will take the opportunity to remove cancerous and precancerous growths, a vital preventive measure that at-home kits can’t provide.

Scheduling Your Colonoscopy in Reno, NV

You don’t have to pay high prices for a high-quality colonoscopy in Reno, Nevada. Choose a fellowship-trained gastroenterologist at Digestive Health Center in Reno with a high adenoma detection rate (ADR) and book your appointment at an independent ambulatory surgery center with industry-leading AAAHC and CMS safety and quality certifications. Independent ASCs, like Digestive Health Center, typically charge much less than a hospital or hospital-affiliated center and offer the highest quality care.

Our state-of-the-art, AAAHC-accredited and CMS-certified Digestive Health Center in Reno, NV is staffed by fellowship-trained and board-certified gastroenterologists and highly experienced medical support staff. Costs are low and the center accepts most insurance plans, plus cash pricing and payment options are also available. Accessible parking and convenient curbside patient drop-off and pick-up are available as well. Request an appointment today!