Are you looking for a specialist that can set up a Brookshire TX colorectal cancer screening for you? Perhaps you’re wondering what colorectal cancer is. Or maybe you’re questioning why you need to do a screening if you’re feeling any symptoms. Or perhaps your primary doctor suggested for you to go through one anyway.
You can separate colorectal cancer into two major types: colon cancer and rectum cancer. According to the statistics, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. for both genders. The average risk only runs higher as you grow older, and these cancers are common in those between ages 50 to 70.
However, there’s no need to panic. This type of cancer is completely preventable and even treatable in the early stages. As long as your gastro doctor can catch it soon enough, they can prevent or start you on the road to recovery.
That’s why doctors recommend screenings the closer you get to age 50. And if your family’s medical history consists of other types of cancers or stomach disorders, you should probably get a screening earlier.
So please don’t wait until it’s too late and schedule an appointment with our medical office today.
Brookshire TX Colorectal Cancer Screening
There are various types of rectum and colon cancer screenings. Some are invasive, others not so much. Of the types of screenings, colonoscopies are probably the most common. They’re the simplest and most surefire way to prevent or catch signs of cancer.
During the procedure, your doctor will use a thin, hollow tube with a built-in camera. They’ll insert it through your rectum in order to observe the inside of your rectum and large intestines.
Colorectal cancer usually starts from unusual growths on the inner lining of both of these organs. These are called polyps. Most have stalks that attach themselves to the inner lining of your organs, like mushrooms. The rarer kind lay flat against the lining, appearing as slight indentations instead.
The doctor will be able to remove any growths during a colonoscopy, preventing any from developing into colon cancer. Or, if they can’t remove it, they’ll take a tissue sample for a biopsy. After the results come back, they’ll be able to tell you if the sample was cancerous or not.
In some cases, a colonoscopy may not work for you. Not to worry, the doctor has other methods they can try. A few methods are stool tests, where the doctor will test for unusual blood or DNA in your stool. The technical term for this is “fecal immunochemical test.”
If they’re still unsure, they can run other screening tests. These require the x-raying of your colon and rectum.
For one test, the doctor will ask you to drink a barium solution, which will highlight the inner lining of your digestive system. These highlights will show up in the x-ray, allowing them to see better. The other uses a CT scanner to take multiple pictures so that the doctor can comb through them for signs of cancer.
Other Digestive Disorders that We Can Also Find During the Screening
And of course, sometimes a Brookshire TX colorectal cancer screening can catch signs of other disorders. Since some digestive disorders’ symptoms overlap, it may take several tests for the doctor to pinpoint the actual issue.
Multiple disorders have a symptom that can cause rectal bleeding, colorectal cancer in the later stages is one of them. With a colonoscopy and some of the other screenings, they can visually see something wrong with your tissue.
One of the disorders they can find is Crohn’s disease, which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. They can also find other types of inflammation and ulcers in the inner linings of your organs. Not to mention, they can also find internal hemorrhoids.
However, the doctor won’t be able to detect irritable bowel syndrome. This disorder doesn’t directly affect your tissue, so doctors can’t visually see or confirm it through a biopsy.
But if you’re fortunate enough not to have cancer, if your doctor finds any of these issues, they can also start a treatment plan for any of these issues.
Colonoscopy Prep and Process
The simplest and fastest way for a doctor to stop or catch cancer early is with a colonoscopy. Once you schedule an appointment with the doctor for this type of cancer screening, they’ll prescribe you a laxative and when to take it.
Why? It’s to prep your body so nothing goes wrong during the procedure. The cleaner your system is, the less likely something will obstruct the doctor’s view of your insides. You may even want to start the process earlier by changing your diet a few days before the procedure.
A few days beforehand, you should start eating a low-fiber diet. Cut whole grains, dried fruits, raw fruit and vegetables, nuts, and seeds out of your diet. The day before, you should stop eating whole foods. Stick to clear liquids like broth, black coffee, and black tea, and if you want something with more consistency, perhaps Jell-O or popsicles.
And on the day of, stick to the same liquid diet from the day before. However, once there are only a few hours left, don’t consume anything.
Then comes the procedure. There’s no need to worry. The doctor will sedate you first before starting the procedure, so you shouldn’t feel a single thing.
Visiting a Board-Certified Stomach Doctor
Any medical procedure has a slight risk to it, even if it’s proven to be successful. That’s why you’ll want to visit a doctor you know is capable. Dr. James Maher is a board-certified gastroenterologist with the American Board of Internal Medicine. With his expertise and experience, he can screen and answer any questions you have about digestive disorders and cancer.
So help him help you by calling us and setting up an appointment with the office of Katy Stomach Doctor James Maher. The sooner you get a Brookshire, TX colorectal cancer screening, the sooner we prevent or catch this type of cancer.
Brookshire, Texas Fun Facts:
- The area was orginally named after Nathan Brookshire, a captain in the Texan Army that stormed and captured Bexar.
- It was incorporated as a city in 1946.
- Situated alongside Interstate 10, it’s one of the fastest growing residential regions in the U.S.
- For more fun facts, visit Brookshire’s official website.