A Colonoscopy Can Save Your Life

When found early, colorectal cancer is easier to treat and highly curable. This is good news because colorectal cancer has some pretty dire statistics: it is the third leading cause of U.S. cancer deaths, and there is a 1 in 24 chance of developing it.*

So why take your chances and risk going undiagnosed? Proper screening can detect colorectal cancer early. It can also help eliminate pre-cancerous polyps that could become cancerous if left to grow.

Symptoms

Colorectal cancer—commonly called colon cancer—often has no symptoms. This is why screening is so important. These symptoms, however, might indicate colorectal cancer:

• Change in bowel habits
• Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
• Persistent abdominal discomfort
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chronic fatigue

Steps You Can Take

If you are over 50 or have a family history of colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about getting screened today. The more you know, the better you can take care of your health.

A colonoscopy is one important screening test. The procedure takes just 15 to 30 minutes. During the test, a doctor looks inside the entire large intestine and into the rectum using a long, flexible, narrow tube that has a light and tiny lens on the end. The doctor can see things such as abnormal growths and inflamed tissue.

Other preventive steps include maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and eating a healthy diet.

Learn more about colonoscopies at PacMed.You can make an appointment with one of our gastroenterologists** by calling 1.844.66.COLON (1.844.662.6566).

*Source: American Cancer Society.

**Always check with your insurance provider to find out if you need pre-authorization or to determine the level of coverage your insurance carrier provides for colonoscopy.