Begin The New Year Focused on GI Health: Schedule Your Colonoscopy Screening

Many of our goals for the new year often include the resolution to enhance our wellness, usually by focusing on diets and workout routines. Preventive health exams such as colonoscopies can also be a great way to make prolonged improvements to our health and begin the new year on a positive note. If you're wondering about colon health and need help determining where to start, a colonoscopy at Digestive Health Associates of Texas is a great first step. Doing so could help optimize your health as you embark upon this brand new year.

How many people are affected by colon cancer each year?

Cancer of the colon is the third most common cancer in the United States, and early detection is the primary way to increase an individual’s odds of survival. It’s estimated that 50,000 people in America pass away from colon cancer each year, with the American Cancer Society approximating that 106,180 new cases are diagnosed every year.

Colorectal cancer is common, but so is its prevention. A colon cancer screening is an easy way to take control of your health and wellness. A colonoscopy can help prevent and detect colorectal cancer prior to it reaching the advanced stages. Get in touch with Digestive Health Associates of Texas to schedule a colonoscopy in Dallas, TX and start your new year honoring the importance of health.

Why is screening for colorectal cancer essential?

Colonoscopies are the gold standard for detecting and preventing colon cancer, and understanding their importance can help you appreciate the value these exams can add to your health. Ultimately, early discovery of colon cancer saves lives, as colorectal cancer is highly treatable when detected early.

Cancer of the colon typically generates from abnormal growths called polyps in the colon and/or rectum, but a colonoscopy identifies and can remove these abnormal growths before developing into cancer. When a precancerous growth is detected during a colonoscopy exam, it is often highly treatable and can likely be removed during the procedure.

Understanding your health status is the best gift you can gift yourself this new year. By being a knowledgeable and educated patient, you are capable of making more thoughtful decisions that help support your long-term health. Schedule your colonoscopy in Dallas, TX with one of our colonoscopy doctors to have any questions or concerns you have answered.

Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?

A portion of making sustainable changes to maintain your health starts with learning about the risk factors of common medical conditions, including colorectal cancer. Certain risk factors for colon cancer might affect your treatment plan or how often you obtain colonoscopies. Some of the risks of colon cancer include:

• A history of colon cancer
• A diet low in fruits and vegetables
• Prior radiation to your stomach or pelvis due to treatment for other cancers
• A family history of colon cancer
• A high-fiber, low-fat diet or one that includes a lot of processed meat products
• Lack of exercise
• Tobacco use
• Having IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)

Reduce your chances of cancer of the colon with changes to your diet, a new exercise routine, and colon cancer screenings. Incorporating these habits gives you an edge when it comes to your colon health. A colonoscopy with the Digestive Health Associates of Texas team can provide guidance as you start your path to a new, restored version of yourself this year.

When should you undergo a colonoscopy screening?

Being aware of your colon health status is smarter than questioning if there’s a prospective issue. A routine colonoscopy screening can take as little as 15 – 60 minutes, meaning your colonoscopy should fit into your day just as easily as your new fitness routine.

The ACS (American Cancer Society) advises having colonoscopy exams beginning at 45 years old for individuals with a standard risk for colon cancer. If you maintain optimal health and wellness and you are not at an increased risk, a simple colonoscopy once every ten years should be enough to keep you abreast of your colon health.

Once you turn age 75, colorectal cancer screenings are typically performed based on your overall health status and at the suggestion of your gastroenterologist. If you have a personal record or familial history of colon cancer or polyps, you have a significant risk of developing colon cancer. Patients with a higher risk should undergo colon cancer screenings more often to safeguard their health.

Schedule your colonoscopy in Dallas, TX today

Feel empowered to make smart choices regarding your future and begin the new year by taking control of your colon health. If you’re over 45, have a higher risk because of your lifestyle, or have a family history of colon cancer, you should consider starting the new year out right by scheduling a colonoscopy at Digestive Health Associates of Texas. The procedure only takes around one hour and can set your mind at ease that your colon health is on the right track. If you have additional questions or concerns, feel free to address them with your colonoscopy doctor during your consultation at one of our Dallas, TX gastroenterology locations.