For more adults, the American Cancer Society recommends regular colon screenings (typically, a colonoscopy) beginning at the age of 45. Your doctor may recommend you have a colonoscopy sooner if you have specific symptoms or a family history of colon issues.
Until recently, scheduling a hospital visit in the Muskegon area required a hospital visit. Muskegon Surgical Associates now offers colonoscopies on-site in our American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) accredited surgical suite, so there’s no need to go through hospital scheduling or check into the hospital.
Why Get a Colonoscopy?
Colorectal cancer (informally referred to as ‘colon cancer’) is now the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. This cancer almost always starts in the form of polyps, which are precancerous, abnormal growths in the colon or rectum.
A colonoscopy is a screening test performed by a doctor using a thin, flexible tube with a camera to examine your large intestine (colon). During the screening, the doctor can remove any precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer, and can also find colorectal cancer in its earlier stages when treatment has the best chance to be successful. Colonoscopy is the most thorough colon cancer screening method available. [Check out these tips for preparing for your colonoscopy.]
Symptoms of colon cancer include blood in the stool, digestive issues, and unexplained weight loss. If you have any of the signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Colonoscopy can also be used to help diagnose the cause of abdominal pain and detect colitis, diverticulitis, and bleeding lesions. Early stages of colorectal cancer often show little or no signs, so it’s critical to be tested regularly (typically every 5-10 years) even if you aren’t exhibiting symptoms.
Onsite, Convenient, Close to Home
At Muskegon Surgical Associates, we offer colonoscopies right on-site in our state-of-the-art, office-based surgical suite. Our nurse navigators help you through the scheduling, preparation, procedure, and recovery. We understand your time is valuable and are able to get you in for your appointment quickly and provide a more efficient process than you might find at a hospital.
Having your colonoscopy at Muskegon Surgical Associates also means you are with the same surgeon from start to finish, should you need surgical intervention.
If you’re having abdominal pains or any symptoms of colon cancer, are 45 or older and haven’t had a colonoscopy, or need to schedule a routine colonoscopy, call Muskegon Surgical Associates at 231-739-9461 or contact us online.
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Muskegon Surgical Associates