Many people go through life not thinking too much about their colon or their digestive systems in general. However, one of the health screenings that is recommended for all people over 50 is a colonoscopy. When most people hear about a colonoscopy, they do not know what to think or expect, and this can fill them with fear or worry. To avoid feeling this way and to better understand colonoscopies, get to know some of the basic facts about a colonoscopy. Then, you can be sure that when the time comes, you get your colonoscopy scheduled right away.
Colonoscopies Are a Form of Cancer Screening
One of the major facts to know about colonoscopies is what they are designed to do. A colonoscopy is a type of cancer screening much like a prostate exam or a mammogram. However, this particular test is looking for signs of colon cancer. Colon cancer, while often treatable, can go undetected and grow for many years without such screenings, as the early symptoms are usually minimal if there are any.
When a person gets a colonoscopy, the doctor uses a small scope to look inside of the colon. What they are primarily looking for are any abnormalities in the colon structure. The most common abnormality is a polyp. Colon polyps are tiny bumps in the tissue of the colon. These polyps may be benign or can be a sign of cancer.
Colonoscopies Can Sometimes Include Minor Surgery
Because you will be sedated and already prepped for the colonoscopy procedure, your doctor may extend the colonoscopy into a minor surgery if they detect any abnormalities in your colon. This minor surgery is simply a biopsy procedure.
Your doctor will remove the scope and insert a cutting tool to remove one or more polyps for further testing. This testing will help to determine if the polyps are benign or malignant. Doing this all in one fell swoop will help to minimize the time you need to spend under anesthesia and will make it, so you do not have to go through the preparation process for a second procedure. It also speeds up the rate at which you get your biopsy results.
Now that you know some of the basic facts about colonoscopies, you can see why they are so important and can feel more comfortable about the whole process. Be sure that you schedule your colonoscopy appointment as soon as possible. For more information, contact a company like Lincoln Surgical Group PC.
Share3 March 2018
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