Colon screenings save lives.

The Colon Clinic provides colonoscopy screenings for people with risk factors for developing colon cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, routine colon screenings and the removal of non-cancerous masses can decrease your lifetime risk of developing colon cancer by 80%.

If you have risk factors or symptoms, you should speak with your primary care physician about screening.

Risk Factors

  • Have a father, mother, brother, sister, or child who has had colon polyps or colon cancer
  • Personally have had polyps or colon cancer removed or if you have Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease
  • Are 45 or older
  • Consume a diet high in animal fat
  • Are of Eastern European descent and Jewish 
  • Drink alcohol heavily
  • Smoke tobacco (studies show smokers are 30 – 40% more at risk)
  • Are inactive/don’t exercise 
  • Are overweight, especially if you have the extra fat in the waist area 

Symptoms

Some people have colon polyps or colon cancer with no symptoms at all. That is why screening is very valuable. If you do have any of these symptoms, you should talk to your physician. 

  • Changes in bowel movements such as diarrhea or constipation, or if the caliber of stool changes (narrowing) for more than a few days
  • Blood in the stool, on the toilet paper, or any rectal bleeding
  • Steady cramping or abdominal pain
  • Significant weakness, tiredness or unintentional weight loss 
  • Feeling like you have to have a bowel movement even after having one

Don’t Wait! Get Screened.

  • Are between the ages of 45 and 75
  • Have a personal history of polyps or colon cancer
  • Have a family member who was diagnosed with polyps or colon cancer in which case you should schedule your screening 10 years prior to the age that they were at time of their diagnosis

Have your primary care physician fax a referral to us at the Colon Clinic. If you don’t have a primary care provider, or to schedule your colonoscopy call us at 540-332-5526.

How the Colon Clinic Works

  1. Your primary care doctor faxes us a referral.
  2. Our scheduler will contact you to set up your appointment date or you can call us at 540-332-5526.
  3. We will then call you 1 – 2 weeks before your appointment to do a medical screening by phone. You will be asked to share your medical and surgical history and current medication list. At that time we will discuss how to prepare for your procedure.
  4. One business day before your appointment the outpatient surgical scheduler will call you with your arrival time. 
  5. On the day of your procedure, you will report to our outpatient surgical suite. 
  6. After the procedure the physician will review any findings and answer questions. An exam report, photos, and discharge instructions will also be given to you. 
  7. Copies of any reports will be sent to your referring physician.

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