Colon Cancer Screening
Our expert doctors at EvergreenHealth specialize in a broad range of advanced treatments and screenings, including cancer screenings that utilize the latest technology to detect cancer early for the best possible outcome and if needed, help you determine the most effective treatment.
Colonoscopy
One of the most essential screenings adults should get starting from age 45 and continuing through age 75 is a colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy is not only the most accurate screening exam for colorectal cancer but is also one of the only screenings that prevents cancer. During a colonoscopy, your doctor uses a scope to get a clear picture of your colon, also called your large intestine. Aside from detecting colon cancer, a colonoscopy offers numerous health benefits including:
- Helping identify and remove polyps (small growths)
- Supporting a colitis diagnosis, which is a severe inflammation of the colon
- Detection of bleeding lesions
- Identifying and diagnosing various causes of abdominal pain
Early detection of colon cancer gives you and your doctors more options and most often leads to the most effective treatment.
Depending on your risk factors, you and your doctor can determine how often you should receive a colonoscopy. Additionally, if you would like to seek other screening exams for colorectal cancer, talk to your primary care doctor to talk about the varying levels of effectiveness and determine which exam is best for you.
Additional exams include:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Double-contrast barium enema
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy)
- Fecal occult blood test (gFOBT)
- Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- Stool DNA test (sDNA)
Preparing for Your Colonoscopy
Depending on which EvergreenHealth provider is performing your colonoscopy, your preparation may need to be somewhat different.
If Dr. James Hibbert is performing your colonoscopy, please reference these materials:
If Dr. Harry Kahn is performing your colonoscopy, please reference these materials:
Call your provider if you have any additional questions before or after your colonoscopy.
