Colon cancer can be deadly. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Simple colon cancer screenings can save lives, including yours. Dr. Anubha Sinha at Hunterdon Digestive Health Specialists provides a full range of GI services, including colon cancer screenings. She has two convenient office locations in Flemington and Hillsborough, NJ.
How Colon Cancer Screenings Can Help You
It's important to begin colon cancer screenings by the age of 45. You may need a colon cancer screening earlier if you are experiencing:
- Chronic pain in your abdomen
- Abnormal growths
- intestinal polyps
- Chronic constipation
- Recurrent diarrhea
- Bleeding from your rectum
- Blood your stool
The most common type of colon cancer screening is a colonoscopy. This procedure uses a colonoscope to view the inner walls of your colon. A colonoscopy requires you to be sedated during the procedure. The colonoscope is inserted into your rectum and guided up into your colon. Your gastroenterologist will be able to view your colon and remove a tissue sample for biopsy.
An additional type of colon cancer screening is a capsule procedure, which involves swallowing a capsule containing a tiny camera. The camera takes images of your digestive system, which are recorded on a device you wear.
Laboratory testing is a third type of colon cancer screening. A stool sample can be analyzed for the presence of blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of colon cancer.
Colon cancer screenings are an important part of preventive medicine and can detect colon cancer in its early stages, when it is more easily treatable. Early diagnosis results in early treatment which can save your life.
Want To Know More About Colon Cancer Screenings?
To learn more about how colon cancer screenings can save lives, call Dr. Anubha Sinha at Hunterdon Digestive Health Specialists. You can reach her in both of her offices in Flemington and Hillsborough, NJ, by calling (908) 788-8200. Call today.