Our Gastroenterology Blog
Posts for: June, 2019
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure for detecting colon cancer and various gastrointestinal problems, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Everyone should undergo their first colonoscopy by the age of 50. In some cases, a colonoscopy should be performed even earlier. Based on your individual medical history, a gastroenterologist can advise you as to when you should get your first or next colonoscopy. The doctors at Queens Boulevard Endoscopy Center are your Rego Park gastroenterologists for colonoscopies.
The Colonoscopy Procedure
An instrument called a colonoscope is used to perform colonoscopies. A colonoscope is a flexible, thin tube with a small camera on one end for recording video and capturing images of the colon. During a colonoscopy, the colonoscope is gently inserted into the colon through the anus. As the colonoscope passes through the colon, your Rego Park gastroenterologist is able to examine the colon’s interior by watching the video. If suspicious growths, such as polyps, are found, a sample can be taken and biopsied to check for cancer.
When a Colonoscopy is Needed
Colonoscopies help gastroenterologists diagnose colon cancer and various gastrointestinal conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or diverticulosis. The American Cancer Society recommends that all healthy adults without gastrointestinal problems undergo a colonoscopy once they are between the ages of 45-50. It is not advisable to postpone your first colonoscopy past age 50.
Adults with a family history of colon cancer are advised to have their first colonoscopy by age 40. Additionally, adults who are experiencing unexplained gastrointestinal problems might need to get a colonoscopy sooner even if they are younger than the recommended age for a first colonoscopy. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation, or blood in the stool could be indications of a more serious gastrointestinal problem. A colonoscopy can help doctors accurately diagnose the problem and prescribe an appropriate treatment.
You should get your first colonoscopy no later than age 50. Remember, you might need one sooner if you have a family history of colon cancer or are experiencing gastrointestinal problems. A gastroenterologist can advise you as to how soon you should get a colonoscopy. To schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist in Rego Park, NY, contact Queens Boulevard Endoscopy Center at (718) 406-8000.
