Gastroenterology

About Colon Cancer Screening

Why is it important to screen for colon cancer?

One in eighteen Americans will develop colon cancer. Colon cancer is the number one cancer killer in non-smoking Americans. For all Americans, including those who smoke, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer. Most cases of colon cancer begin with a pre-cancerous growth called a polyp that can be recognized and removed before it has an opportunity to grow in to a cancer.

Who should be screened?

Anyone 50 years old and older should be offered colorectal cancer screening by means of total colon exam.

Individuals with a family history of one or more first degree relatives (parent, sibling, child) with colorectal cancer, or precancerous colorectal polyps are at greater risk. The overall colon cancer risk is three to four times that of the general population. Screening on these persons should be performed by colonoscopy beginning at age 40 or ten years younger than the age at diagnosis of the youngest affected relative.

If you have any questions as to whether or not you should be screened for colon cancer consult your doctor or call us at 1-888-SCRN-NOW (1-888-727-6669).

What are the symptoms?

As a rule small pre-cancerous polyps have no symptoms. Likewise the vast majority of colon cancers do not have any symptoms. Waiting for symptoms to develop may result in advanced cancer, which results in a poor outcome.

Occasionally, large polyps and cancers may have symptoms such as blood in or on your stool, abdominal discomfort, change in your usual bowel habit, or unintentional weight loss.

What is the best screening option?

Total colon exam has been demonstrated to be superior in detecting pre-cancerous polyps and colon cancer. Because your total colon is evaluated, colonoscopy is more likely to find polyps than looking at only the lower third of the colon with flexible sigmoidoscopy, and/or by trying to detect chemical evidence of blood in the stool.

Visualizing the total colon can be accomplished by a barium enema x-ray exam, virtual colonoscopy by CAT scan x-ray, or colonoscopy. Colonoscopy offers the greatest accuracy and remains the gold standard not only in diagnosis of pre-cancerous colon polyps and colorectal cancer but it allows us to remove any polyps or early cancers.

About Marshfield Clinic Gastroenterology Department

The Marshfield Clinic Gastroenterology Department and GI Unit consists of over 60 healthcare professionals that serve patients who are in need of screening colonoscopy.

Physicians

The physician staff is highly experienced performing collectively over 5000 colonoscopy procedures annually.

Staff

The staff are highly trained and experienced. We have over 50 non-physician staff consisting of physician extenders, registered nurses, technical staff, Medical Assistants, and other clerical staff.

Facility

Procedures are performed in the GI Unit, a modern facility, consisting of 12 procedure rooms and a 31-bed recovery/prep and hold area. The equipment used is state of the art for the proper diagnosing and treatment of colon polyps.

Patient Satisfaction

Ninety seven percent of patients rate their experience at the Marshfield Clinic GI Unit as very good or excellent.

Comments from our patients include:

"The atmosphere was so relaxing-and we didn't get treated like a number."
"I was very pleased with everyone that was on duty. I want to thank everyone. Beautiful place, keep up the good work."
"Thank you for your friendliness. It made the appointment less stressful."
"Staff was very courteous, helpful and understanding. Very compassionate, hats off!"
"I have been coming to the Marshfield Clinic over 10 years I have the highest regard for both clinic and hospital such professionalism and friendly! Your care is superb!"

Schedule your colonoscopy today:

Call us at 1-888-SCRN-NOW (1-888-727-6669)

Learn more about polyps

Learn more about colonoscopy