Are you ready to set an appointment for a Spring TX colorectal cancer screening soon? Perhaps you’re wondering why a colorectal cancer screening is necessary. Or maybe your primary doctor is suggesting you get one soon. Or perhaps you’re wondering what colorectal cancer is and what these screenings include.

Colorectal cancer can be split into two major types: colon cancer and rectum cancer. These types of cancers are the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., behind lung cancer for both genders. However, these cancers are entirely preventable and even treatable in the early stages. So long as you get a screening, your doctor can prevent or start you on the right treatment plan.

The risks of getting colorectal cancer increase with age. That’s why doctors recommend getting a screening as you approach age 50. These cancers are common among those between ages 50 to 70, so it’s better to get routine screenings.

And, if your family’s medical history has seen other types of cancer or digestive disorders, you may want to get screenings even earlier.

So please don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule a screening test with us today!

Spring TX Colorectal Cancer Screening

There are various types of rectum and colon cancer screening tests your stomach doctor can use. The most common and simplest one is a colonoscopy. Using a thin, hollow tube with a built-in camera, the doctor will insert it through your rectum. The camera will allow the doctor to observe the inside of your rectum and large intestine (i.e., the colon) and catch signs of suspicious tissue.

They’ll be on the lookout for suspicious growths in your organs. These growths are called polyps, which can occur on the inner lining of your colon and rectum. They usually attach to the inner lining with stalks, like mushrooms. However, some rarer ones grow flat against the inner lining, appearing as a slight indentation.

During a colonoscopy, the doctor can remove these growths before they can develop into cancer. And if the doctor can’t, they’ll take a sample for a biopsy. Once the results come back, they can tell you if it was cancerous or not.

However, colonoscopies aren’t for everyone. But not to worry, there are other screening tests that the doctor can use to see if you have cancer. Some of the more straightforward tests include stool tests. The doctor will test for suspicious traces of blood or DNA in your stool.

But, that may not be effective enough, so they may also x-ray your colon and rectum. For one such test, the doctor will have you drink a barium solution that’ll highlight the inner lining of your digestive organs. Those highlights will show up on the x-ray, allowing them to see for any oddities.

The other is a CT scan, where the doctor will take multiple pictures. Once done, they’ll piece the images together to see if you have cancer or not.

Other Disorders We Can Catch

Even if a Spring TX colorectal cancer screening doesn’t catch any signs of cancer, it may catch signs of other disorders. With a colonoscopy, the doctor can see directly into your colon and rectum, so they may also see signs of other suspicious tissue. If they do, they can start you on the right treatment plans.

One of the disorders they can find is Crohn’s disease, which is a type of inflammatory bowel disorder. Another is ulcerative colitis, which causes inflammation and ulcers in your colon or rectum. And, they may also find signs of internal hemorrhoids, which don’t usually cause you pain until something happens.

Unfortunately, screenings can’t catch everything that can go wrong inside your digestive system. Screenings and biopsies can’t catch irritable bowel syndrome since it doesn’t cause any changes in your tissue.

So even if the doctor clears you cancer-free, they may find any one of these disorders. If they do, they’ll start you on the right treatment plan immediately.

Why and Hows of a Colonoscopy

Once you schedule a colonoscopy appointment with a gastro doctor, they’ll prescribe you a laxative along with its instructions of when to take it. Why a laxative? Because the clearer your system is the day of the procedure, the easier it is for your doctor to check for suspicious activity in your organs.

You can even start the prep a little earlier than the day before the procedure by changing your diet a few days in advance. Maybe a few days to a week out, you can adapt to a low-fiber diet. Cut out the whole grains, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and raw fruits and vegetables from your diet.

And as the doctor instructs, change to an all-liquid diet the day before the procedure. Stick to clear liquids like broth, bullion, black coffee, and black teas. You can try Jell-O or popsicles if you want some more consistency.

Finally, on the day of, stay on that all-liquid diet until a few hours before the procedure. At that point, stop eating and drinking until after the procedure is done.

During the procedure itself, the doctor will sedate you, so you shouldn’t feel anything. The sedation may leave you numb for a few hours, so you should arrange transportation to and from the doctor’s office.

Scheduling an Appointment with Us

Any medical procedure has a slight risk to it. That’s why you want to go to 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’ll be able to screen and answer any of your questions about colorectal cancer and other digestive disorders.

Colorectal cancer is preventable so long as your doctor can catch it soon enough. Many Americans skip these simple screenings and only notice when it’s too late. However, with routine screenings, we can help you stay healthy and free of colorectal cancer. Visit us or call to schedule a Spring TX colorectal cancer screening with the office of Katy Stomach Doctor James Maher today.

Spring, Texas Fun Facts:

Although the name “Spring” is used to denote the area of northern Harris County and a small chunk of Montgomery County, the original name of the town was “Old Town Spring.”
The area used to be home to the Orcoquiza Native Americans.
In 1840, the area was settled by German Immigrants.
For more fun facts, learn more here.