The doctors at Houston Digestive Diseases Consultants in Houston, TX, perform colonoscopies for patients concerned about colon cancer. Colonoscopies can save lives by identifying signs of cancer before you even experience symptoms!

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a procedure that involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera into the rectum to look into the rectum and colon. This procedure can identify cancer and precancerous polyps in the colon. Polyps can also be removed during a colonoscopy. We perform colonoscopies in Houston, TX, for patients with a family history of colon cancer or who are otherwise concerned about colon cancer.

A colonoscopy requires some preparation by the patient to empty the colon. A special diet a few days before including a liquid diet the day before prepares the colon. The patient is sedated during the procedure and should sleep through it without feeling discomfort. Colonoscopies are a more invasive type of cancer screening so they are not recommended often, but precancerous polyps can actually be removed during a colonoscopy and save your life.

Why is a colonoscopy important?

Colonoscopies are recommended every 10 years for those not at an elevated risk for colon cancer. Colon cancer affects an equal amount of men and women, but almost ninety percent of cases are in patients over the age of 50, so the recommended age for this screening is from 50-75. Based on your health and your family history, your doctor can tell you if you are at an elevated risk for colon cancer.

Colonoscopies can find signs of cancer before a patient is feeling any symptoms, which is why yearly cancer screenings are so important past a certain age. If you are at an elevated risk for colon cancer, your doctor will recommend being screened every year using different tests. If you are concerned about colon cancer, the doctors at Houston Digestive Diseases Consultants perform colonoscopies. Contact us for an appointment at our Houston, TX, locations at 713-777-2555, 713-796-8627, or 713-880-8707.