Once individuals recognize the importance of colonoscopy screenings, the first question typically asked is the procedure’s cost. While all medical insurance differs, baseline screenings at age 50 are 100% covered. The colonoscopy screening itself is an examination which takes about 30 minutes to conduct, and overall requires just a few hours in the doctor’s office. With state of the art techniques, colonoscopy screenings are fast and pain-free.
The most important step in preventing and treating colorectal cancer is early detection. It can take upwards of 10 to 15 years for a polyp to develop into a cancerous polyp, and is why regular screenings are recommended in ten year intervals. Catching polyps early is crucial in stopping the potential spread of cancer to other regions of the body. Finding colorectal cancer in its early stages makes treatment easier and increases the survival rate of patients. It is important to note that colorectal cancer can be fatal when not treated, and is likely to move to other places in the body.
While the American Cancer Society recommends testing begin at age 50, there are special cases which may require testing to begin at a younger age. These reasons include a family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and other major risk factors which can be evaluated by your doctor.
Please visit our website to view the insurances we accept and any patient forms that you may need to fill out prior to a screening. If you wish to schedule a screening or would simply like to learn more, give us a call at (734) MY-COLON.