Start the New Year in Good Health: Schedule Your Colonoscopy Now

Many of our goals for the new year involve enhancing our wellness, generally with changes to our eating habits and workout routines. Preventive health exams such as colon cancer screenings are also great ways to make sustainable health and wellness changes and begin the new year on a positive note. If you're looking to take charge of your colon health and need help determining where to begin, a colonoscopy at Gastroenterology Associates of Florida is a perfect stepping stone. This first step could help you sustain optimal health as you begin the new year.

How many individuals are affected by colon cancer each year?

Cancer of the colon is the third most common cancer in the United States, and early detection is one of the best ways to increase the rate of survival. About 50,000 Americans pass from colorectal cancer annually, with the American Cancer Society approximating 106,180 diagnoses every year.

While colon cancer is common, so is its prevention. A simple colonoscopy is an effective way to enhance your health. This exam can help protect against and detect colorectal cancer before it becomes too advanced to treat. Get in touch with one of our Palm Beach County, FL locations near you to schedule a colonoscopy and begin your year with a clean bill of health.

Why is screening for colon cancer so important?

Colonoscopies are the ideal method for colon cancer detection and prevention, and understanding why might help you appreciate the value this screening can add to your health. Early screenings for colon cancer can save lives, as colorectal cancer is very treatable when discovered early on.

Cancer of the colon generally develops from polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon and/or rectum, but a colonoscopy searches for and can extract these abnormal growths before they develop into cancer. When a precancerous polyp is discovered at the time of a screening, it is likely very treatable and can generally be removed during the colonoscopy procedure.

Understanding your health status is an amazing gift you can gift yourself this year. As a knowledgeable and educated patient, you can make more thoughtful decisions that can help you throughout your lifetime. Schedule your colonoscopy with one of our colonoscopy doctors in Palm Beach County, FL to get all your questions answered and concerns addressed.

Who is at risk for colon cancer?

Part of integrating positive changes for your health starts with informing yourself about the statistics of common medical issues, like cancer of the colon. Certain risk factors for colon cancer might affect your treatment plan or when you need to have colon cancer screenings. A few of the risk factors for colorectal cancer involve:

• A past diagnosis of colon cancer
• A high-fiber, low-fat diet or a diet containing a lot of processed meats
• Family history of colon cancer
• Not enough regular exercise
• Use of tobacco products
• A diet that does not consist of enough fruits and vegetables
• Past radiation to the abdominal area or pelvis as part of treatment for other cancers
• Having an inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)

Help fight off cancer of the colon with healthy diet changes, a new exercise routine, and colon cancer screenings. Adding these habits can give you an advantage regarding your colon health. A colonoscopy with the Gastroenterology Associates of Florida team can aid you as you embark on your quest to a new, restored version of yourself this new year.

When should you schedule a colonoscopy?

Knowing the status of your colon health is better than questioning if there’s a potential problem. A standard colonoscopy exam can take as little as 15 – 60 minutes, meaning your colonoscopy can fit into your busy schedule just like your new workout routine.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) advises that colon cancer screenings begin at age 45 for people who are at standard risk. If you maintain optimal health and you are not at increased risk, a simple colonoscopy once every decade should be sufficient to keep you aware of your colon health.

Once you reach age 75, colon cancer screenings are suggested depending on your overall health status and at the recommendation of your gastroenterologist. If you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or abnormal growths, you are at an advanced risk of getting colon cancer. When you are at higher risk, you will need to have screenings more regularly to protect your health.

Schedule a colonoscopy in Florida today

Make knowledgeable decisions regarding your future and start the new year by focusing on your colon health. If you have a history in your family of colon cancer, are over 45, or are at risk due to your lifestyle, start the new year off right by scheduling a colonoscopy at Gastroenterology Associates of Florida. The procedure takes just around an hour and can give you peace of mind that your colon health is heading in the right direction. Should you have questions or concerns, feel free to discuss those with your colonoscopy doctor during your visit to one of our gastroenterology offices in Wellington, Jupiter, or Atlantis, FL.