Receive a Colonoscopy Before Year's End to Maximize Your Deductible

As we head into the final months of the year, this is a great reminder to take stock of your overall health and your wellness goals for the upcoming year. One idea to help make sure you stay in front of your health is to make plans for your routine colorectal cancer screening with a qualified gastrointestinal specialist.

Even though there are other testing methods available, when it comes to colon cancer screening, colonoscopy is one of the most efficient and reliable of all tests. The doctors at Digestive Health Associates of Texas consistently conduct colonoscopies to help patients identify warning signs of colorectal cancer early on and to provide care for connected diseases related to the colon. Keep reading to hear more related to colorectal screenings with our Dallas, TX gastroenterology specialists.

Why are colonoscopies the preference when checking for colon cancer?

Along with helping evaluate for indications of cancer of the colon, a colonoscopy permits your gastrointestinal doctor to inspect the overall health of your colon as well as excise any colorectal polyps encountered during the exam.

Colonoscopy may be advised for those who are at least 45 years old or for those that:

• Are a member of certain demographic groups (African Americans have a higher chance of developing colon cancer than people from other ethnicities, though no ethnicity is immune)
• Suffer from certain inflammatory bowel conditions (including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) that are known to heighten your chance of developing colorectal cancer
• Eat a diet low in fiber but high in calories and fat
• Have a history of bowel cancer in their family

It is essential to talk with a digestive health expert to understand your risk of cancer and when to schedule a colonoscopy.

When is the best time to have a colonoscopy?

In the big picture, there is not a "right" or "wrong" time in one's life to be proactive about the care of your health. However, deductibles are due to reset for the majority of health insurance plans on Jan. 1, so if you have already reached your deductible, now may be the ideal time to book a colonoscopy in Dallas, TX, and keep your out-of-pocket costs down. If you're a member of a plan that has a flexible savings account (FSA), the end of the year is your last chance to use up remaining money that won't roll over into the next year.

Additionally, taking care of any routine health screenings now can set you up to enter into the new year confident that you are on top of your health needs.

How does a colonoscopy screening work?

A colonoscopy is a very common procedure that takes place in a private setting at your provider's practice location or at a nearby endoscopy center. Upon your arrival at the exam site, preparations will be made and you will be asked to lie on your side. A member of our staff will administer intravenous (IV) sedation in small and controlled amounts to ensure both your safety and comfort during the exam. Once sedation is administered, your Digestive Health Associates of Texas gastroenterology doctor will start the colonoscopy by slowly inserting a scope into your rectum and forward through the colon, checking the health of your bowel through a camera affixed inside the end of the device. Depending on the findings of the colorectal screening, the procedure usually takes about 15 – 30 minutes to complete.

Schedule a colonoscopy in Dallas, TX without delay

Cancer of the colon is the cause of more than 50,000 deaths each year in the U.S., but the chance of survival grows markedly if the cancer is found and combated early on in its growth. That's why it's of the utmost importance to enlist the help of an experienced colonoscopy specialist who can identify the markers of cancer and assist you in the case that continued treatments are needed. With the collective knowledge of our physician-led practice of gastroenterologists available, our providers with Digestive Health Associates of Texas are ready and willing to help you ring in a new year by proactively making sure your health is a priority. For additional information regarding colon cancer screenings or to meet with a provider specializing in colonoscopies in Dallas, TX, we encourage you to reach out to our GI office today.