Begin This Year Focused on GI Health: Get Your Colonoscopy Now
1/20/2023
Many of our New Year's goals are composed of enhancing our wellness, often adjusting our diets and exercise routines. Proactive health screenings such as colonoscopy exams are also an ideal way to make prolonged health and wellness changes and start the new year off with a bang. If you have questions about colon health and need help deciding where to start, a colonoscopy at Digestive Health Center is an excellent place to start. This first step could help you perpetuate optimal health when entering the next 365 days.
How many individuals are impacted by colon cancer yearly?
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S., and early detection is the primary way to optimize an individual’s odds of survival. It’s estimated that 50,000 people in America pass from colorectal cancer annually, with the American Cancer Society approximating 106,180 new diagnoses yearly.
Although colorectal cancer is indeed common, so is preventing it. A simple colon cancer screening is an easy way to take control of your wellness. This screening can help prevent and catch colon cancer before its advancement into later stages. Contact Digestive Health Center to schedule a colonoscopy in Thibodaux, LA and begin your year with optimal health.
Why are colon cancer screenings so imperative?
Colorectal exams are the ideal method for detecting and preventing colorectal cancer, and understanding how important they are might help you appreciate the value that a cancer screening can add to your life. Ultimately, early screenings for colorectal cancer can often save your life, as colorectal cancer is very treatable when detected early on.
Cancer of the colon typically develops from abnormal growths called colorectal polyps in the colon and/or rectum, but a colonoscopy detects and can extract these growths before they develop into colon cancer. If a precancerous growth is discovered during the colonoscopy, it is highly treated and typically removed during your screening.
Understanding the status of your health is one of the best gifts you can give yourself this year. By being an informed and educated patient, you may make better choices that can benefit you for the rest of your life. Schedule your colonoscopy in Thibodaux, LA to answer any questions or concerns you have.
Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?
A part of incorporating reasonable changes to maintain your health begins with becoming informed about your risk factors for common medical issues like colon cancer. Select risks for colon cancer could have an impact on your treatment or how often you obtain colon cancer screenings. A few, but not all, of the risks for colorectal cancer are:
- Having IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
- A high-fiber, low-fat diet or a diet of many processed meats
- A habit or history of smoking
- Past radiation to your abdomen or pelvic area due to treatment for other cancers
- A diet low in daily fruits and veggies
- Lack of necessary exercise
- A past diagnosis of colon cancer
- Familial history of colon cancer
You can reduce your chances of colon cancer with healthy diet changes, creating a new workout program, and colonoscopies. Adding these routines into your life gives you the upper hand regarding the health of your colon. A colonoscopy with Digestive Health Center can aid you in beginning to embark on your journey to a better, healthier version of yourself this New Year.
When should I schedule a colonoscopy screening?
Knowing the condition of your colon’s health is better than questioning if there’s a prospective issue. A standard colon screening takes as little as 15 minutes to an hour, meaning your colonoscopy may fit into your schedule just as easily as a fitness routine.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests that colonoscopies start at 45 years of age for people with an average risk for colon cancer. If you sustain peak health and you are not at increased risk, a colon cancer screening every decade is typically enough to keep you aware of the status of your colon health.
At 75, colonoscopies are suggested depending on your overall health status and at the suggestion of your gastroenterologist. In the event you have a personal record or family history of colon cancer or polyps, you are at an advanced risk of getting colon cancer. Individuals with a substantial risk will need screenings more regularly to safeguard their health.
Schedule a colonoscopy in Thibodaux, LA right away
Let us help you make informed decisions about your future and start the new year by putting your colon health into your own hands. If you are 45 or over, are at risk due to your lifestyle choices, or have a history of colon cancer in your family, we encourage starting the new year right by scheduling a colonoscopy at Digestive Health Center. The procedure only takes around one hour and can ease your mind that your colon health is taken care of. If you have more questions, don’t be afraid to ask your colonoscopy doctor at our Thibodaux, LA GI location during your colon screening.