Colon Cancer Screening Specialist

What is the most effective way to screen for colon cancer?

A colonoscopy, which uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light affixed to look inside the colon, is by far the most effective way to detect polyps, the precursors to colon cancer, and early cancerous lesions. Dr. Loria performs this life-saving screening at Carnegie Hill Endoscopy, New York City’s premier endoscopy center.  Contrary to public perception, a colonoscopy is a relatively quick and painless procedure. New bowel preparation formulas are highly tolerable. Dr. Loria explains what to expect and puts patients at ease during a pre-colonoscopy consultation.

Who should have a colon cancer screening?

Men and woman with an average risk of colon cancer should get a screening colonoscopy every 10 years, beginning at the age of 45. Those with a risk factor for colon cancer, such as having a first-degree relative with a history of colorectal cancer or polyps, should have their first screening colonoscopy at age 40. Those from families with multiple relatives with early cancers may be genetically predisposed to early colon cancer and may need to be screened even earlier.

Why are screenings for colon cancer so important?  

The number of colorectal cancer deaths has been declining for several decades, thanks to early detection of colorectal polyps through routine colonoscopy. Still, there will be almost 150,000 new colon cancer diagnoses in the USA this year and more than 50,000 people will die from the disease. As many as 60% of these could be prevented if everyone 45 years old and above had a colonoscopy, this according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That’s because colon cancer often doesn’t cause any symptoms. It can take as long as 10 to 15 years for a polyp to become cancerous. Once cancer spreads beyond the colon or rectum, survival rates drop considerably.