Colon cancer screening

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
In this exam, your doctor uses an instrument called a flexible sigmoidoscope to look for problems in your rectum and lower colon. The rectum and lower colon are parts of the large intestine, or bowel.

The sigmoidoscope is a long, thin tube with a tiny camera on the end. The tube is put into the anus (the opening to the bowel) and moved slowly into the colon. A light at the tip of the scope lets your doctor see the walls of the bowel. Your doctor will look for changes on the bowel wall that may be caused by a disease, a cancer or a condition that might turn into cancer. Your doctor can also use this tube to look for the cause of bleeding or pain.

Colonoscopy
Dr. Todd Lawrence along with his specially trained staff provide colon cancer screening right here in your doctor’s office. With a familiar environment and the same smiling faces you are used to seeing at your office visits we make your procedure less stressing. Our nurse’s will sit and review your preparation instructions and answer any of your questions you may have. Complete instructions and your prep will be sent home with you only with our number incase you have any questions that may arise closer to the time of your procedure.

Colonoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to look at the interior lining of your large intestine, rectum and colon through a thin, flexible viewing instrument called a colonoscope. A colonoscopy helps detect ulcers, polyps, or tumors, and areas of inflammation or bleeding. During a colonoscopy, tissue samples can be collected abnormal growths can be removed. Colonoscopy can also be used as a screening test to identify and remove precancerous and cancerous growths in the colon or rectum.

The colonoscope is a thin, flexible instrument with a small video camera attached to the colonoscope so that photographic images of the large intestine can be made. The colonoscope can be used to view the entire colon as well as a small portion of the lower small intestine.

Before this test, you will need to clean out your colon (colon prep). Colon prep takes 1 to 2 days Some preps may be taken the evening before the test. For many people, the prep for a colonoscopy is more trying than the actual test. Plan to stay home during your prep time since you will need to use the bathroom frequently. The colon prep causes loose, frequent stools and diarrhea so that your colon will be empty for the test. The colon prep may be uncomfortable and you may feel hungry on the clear liquid diet. If you need to drink a special solution as part of your prep, be sure to have clear fruit juices or soft drinks to drink after the prep because the solution tastes salty.

Before you have this test, you are given a medicine to make you relaxed and sleepy. The physician will speak with you and your driver before you leave about his findings and when you should have your next exam. If you should need a biopsy the sample will be sent to the hospital of choice for evaluation by a pathologist. Your will then be called later that week with the results and any needed follow up.