Getting colon screenings may help find polyps and cancer early, when they are most treatable. When polyps and cancer are found early, there may be more options for treatment too. Experienced specialists at Ascension St. Vincent provide colonoscopies to help detect polyps. During your colonoscopy, you'll receive anesthesia before the colonoscope — a long, flexible tube containing a small camera — is inserted into your colon. This camera helps find polyps. While not every polyp is cancerous, they can become cancerous in the future. That’s why it's important to identify, and sometimes remove, polyps. After your colonoscopy, we share the results with your doctor.
We recommend men and women get their first screening colonoscopy at age 45. You may need to get a screening colonoscopy earlier if you have a personal or family history of polyps or colon cancer.
We make getting a screening easier. You can schedule a screening colonoscopy without a referral or consultation. You should ask your insurance provider for questions about coverage for screenings without a doctor’s referral.
You may need a diagnostic colonoscopy (doctor’s order is required) if you have symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Change in bowel habits
- Rectal bleeding
- Unexplained weight loss
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Connected to specialists at Ascension St. Vincent
At Ascension St. Vincent, our care teams are ready to answer any questions you may have about colon screenings. If you need more care, including more advanced treatment options, you are connected to compassionate care teams and specialists right for you.
Our care teams listen to your concerns and work with you to determine the appropriate care plan. If cancer is detected, our cancer care team has proactive treatments that help meet your long-term needs. Our radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and specialty care surgeons deliver advanced care for all stages of colorectal cancer.
