What You Should Know About Colonoscopies

Dr. Anubha Sinha and the professionals at Hunterdon Digestive Health Specialists perform colonoscopies for patients of all ages concerned about colon cancer. Colonoscopies can save lives by identifying signs of cancer before you even experience symptoms. Come see us in Hillsborough, and Flemington, NJ, if you have a family history of colon cancer or need a colonoscopy.

What is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a procedure that can identify cancer and precancerous polyps in the colon. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera into the rectum to look into the rectum and colon. Your Hillsborough, and Flemington, NJ, doctors can identify early signs of cancer or remove precancerous polyps during a colonoscopy.

Colonoscopies require some preparation from the patient to empty the colon. A special diet a few days before including a liquid diet the day before prepares the colon. A patient is sedated with safe anesthesia for the procedure so you should sleep through it and not feel any discomfort.

Colonoscopies are a more invasive type of cancer screening, but precancerous polyps can actually be removed as they are detected during the colonoscopy.

Who needs a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopies can be used as a diagnostic test, but are primarily used for colon cancer screening. 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. 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.

Colonoscopies are only recommended every 10 years if you're not at an elevated risk for colon cancer. Your doctor can tell you if you're at an elevated risk based on your health and family history. Colonoscopies aren't recommended as often but you can still be screened for colon cancer every year with different tests if you are at an elevated risk.

If you're concerned about colon cancer, Dr. Sinha and the team at Hunterdon Digestive Health Specialists perform colonoscopies. Contact us in Hillsborough, and Flemington, NJ, at (908) 788-8200.

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Hunterdon Digestive Health Specialists

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-7:00 pm

Saturday:

*Contact office to confirm Saturday hours and availability*

Sunday:

Closed