Colon Cancer Specialist

How often should I get screened for colon cancer?

Starting at age 50, men and women should get screened for colon cancer about once every 10 years. Screenings can detect growths called polyps, which are sometimes precancerous. Your doctor can remove polyps to prevent them from becoming cancerous.

It takes polyps 10-15 years to become cancerous, which is why a colonoscopy once every 10 years is usually sufficient. There is no way to determine if a polyp is precancerous or benign while it’s inside your body, so the safest approach is to remove them.

Polyps do not cause any symptoms, which is why it’s necessary to screen for them at regular intervals. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you should get your first screening for colon cancer 10 years before the age at which your family member was diagnosed.

What can I do to prevent colon cancer?

No matter your age or family history, you can make adjustments to your lifestyle to lower your risk of getting colon cancer, including:

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Exercising regularly

• Eating lots of fruits and vegetables

• Limiting your intake of red and processed meats

• Drinking alcohol in moderation, if at all

• Quitting smoking

It’s also important to respond to any digestive health symptoms since they may be early signs of disease, including colon cancer. You should contact Gastroenterology on Gramercy Park if you’ve experienced a change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation, or if you’ve noticed blood in your stool.

How does my doctor screen for colon cancer?

Your doctors at

Gastroenterology on Gramercy Park provide several kinds of colon cancer screenings, including:

Colonoscopy

Your doctor will use a device called a colonoscope, a long, thin tube with a camera at the end, to look inside your rectum and colon. During a colonoscopy, your doctor can detect and remove polyps.

Virtual colonoscopy or Barium Enema

In a virtual colonoscopy or barium enema, special X-ray equipment takes images of your rectum and colon. If your doctor sees something that requires a biopsy, they will schedule a follow-up colonoscopy.

Stool DNA test

In a stool DNA test, you’ll provide a stool sample that will be mailed to a laboratory for testing. The test will check for DNA changes that could indicate cancer or polyps, and it can also test for blood in your stool that you or your doctor may not see.

To get a colon cancer screening, click or call to schedule an appointment at Gastroenterology on Gramercy Park today.