As we become older, it’s critical to maintain our well-being by getting standard health screenings, including a colonoscopy. This simple test can detect colon or rectal cancer as well as help thwart colorectal cancer development. Bu with new changes in technology, people can test themselves at home for colorectal cancer. At Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates in New Orleans, LA, our GI specialists counsel our patients to help identify colorectal cancer warning signs, as well as undergo routine screenings to preserve their total wellness. However, with the prevalence of at-home screenings growing, it’s crucial to understand the distinction between a home exam and a colonoscopy conducted by a gastroenterologist.

Do I have to check for colorectal cancer?

It’s crucial to take your well-being seriously, and we commend you for being proactive by developing your colon cancer awareness. Colorectal cancer exams are important for all people as they age; however, they’re exceptionally important for persons who have certain risk factors, such as a family history of colon or rectal cancer. Some people decide to obtain an at-home colorectal cancer kit, as they are less invasive and confidential. However, regular colonoscopy screenings at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates are more accurate than home exams and highly critical to discover and treat colorectal cancer as soon as possible.

Should you have family members who have had colon cancer, be at least 45 or older, or experience any of the indications below, we ask you to reach out to Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates to schedule a consultation with a colonoscopy doctor in New Orleans, LA.

Indications of colon cancer commonly include:

• Long-term cramps, gas, or abdominal pain
• The sensation that your colon will not totally empty
• Unexplained weight loss
• Rectal bleeding or bloody stool
• Variation in bowel habits

Colonoscopy vs. at-home exams for colon and rectal cancer

It’s important in your health quest to understand the distinction between a colonoscopy and an at-home test, as both offer various degrees of information. At Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates, we urge all patients 45 and older to obtain a colonoscopy approximately every decade to screen for colorectal cancer and other issues. Because of your history or your family’s history, we might implore you to get examined earlier or more often. During a colonoscopy, our GI doctors will look for abnormalities or growths (polyps) in the large intestine (colon) and rectum utilizing a small video camera. If any polyps are identified, we can remove them during the course of your colonoscopy and carry out a biopsy. The complete screening process takes roughly 30 – 60 minutes.

An at-home exam grants an accessible way for people to test for early markers of cancer from the comfort of their private homes. This action is less intrusive and normally only entails sending in a stool sample for review. It can seem like an easy method to keep checking your health and wellness, particularly if colon cancer is prevalent in your family history. Although home colorectal cancer exams may give a particular degree of convenience, it’s crucial to know their limitations with respect to your physical health.

Can I do only home colon cancer exams?

The development of at-home colorectal cancer exams has left some wondering if there’s a need to continue having routine colonoscopies when it’s possible to perform these easy tests in the comfort of their homes. Although a home exam seems like a convenient method to screen for early signs of colon cancer, it should not replace a colonoscopy. Colonoscopies are a more thorough examination of the colon and rectum executed by one of our New Orleans, LA gastroenterologists who is trained to identify any indicators of a problem that might not be detected with a home stool testing kit.

Obtain a colon and rectal cancer screening in New Orleans, LA

As you get older, we encourage you to take the lead on your health by maintaining routine colon and rectal cancer exams. These cancer tests are vitally essential to maintaining your digestive and general wellness and identifying signs of colon and rectal cancer early. The GI specialists at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates are highly skilled at discovering and helping to hinder colon and rectal cancer development. For additional details on colon and rectal cancer, colonoscopies, or home exams, get in touch with our GI office in New Orleans, LA today.

The good news is that colon cancer is preventable. Due to an increase in colon cancer among younger Americans, the recommended age for your first colon cancer screening is now 45. Anyone with a family history or symptoms may need screening even earlier. Consult your primary care physician.

Learn more by clicking the link here.

Since next month is colon cancer awareness month, Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates wishes to provide colon and rectal cancer facts that could help you protect your health and wellness. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among adults. However, it is also one of the most detectable and, in a number of instances, preventable cancers through routine evaluations.

Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates offers specialized care for gastrointestinal (GI) health. Our dedicated team provides support for individuals and their families as they go through the process of diagnosis and treatment for colon or rectal cancer. If you would like to learn more about our physician-led network of gastroenterologists or find a colonoscopy doctor near you, please contact our GI office in New Orleans, LA today.

About colon and rectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells that originates in either the rectum or large intestine (colon). It is also called colon cancer or bowel cancer. Colon cancer is common, as 1 in 25 women and 1 in 23 men will receive a colorectal cancer diagnosis at some point during their lifetime. Nearly 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in 2021, as reported by the American Cancer Society.

What are some symptoms of colon and rectal cancer?

Throughout the initial stages, colon or rectal cancer is unlikely to show any obvious warning signs or symptoms. It can take around ten years for a premalignant polyp (growth) in the colon or rectum to transition into cancer. If a person is showing indications of colon or rectal cancer, they will likely experience:

• An unexplained loss of weight
• Pain in the abdominal area
• Bloody stools
• A change in bowel habits
• Chronic diarrhea

Should you or a family member experience any of these colorectal cancer symptoms, reach out to Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates in New Orleans, LA as soon as possible.

Know the risk factors for colorectal cancer

While the exact cause of colon cancer is unclear, there are a number of factors that seem to put certain individuals at a higher risk than others. Such risk factors include:

• Age: While colon cancer can occur in younger individuals, around 88% of new cases occur in persons over 50, but during recent years, there has been a tendency in the direction of earlier diagnosis. As a result, this has altered the age recommendation for routine colon cancer screening to 45 years old.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS): People who have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis have a higher chance of getting colorectal cancer.
• Family history of colon or rectal cancer: About 25 – 30% of individuals diagnosed with colon cancer have a relative who also has been diagnosed with the disease.

How is colon cancer identified?

Colon and rectal cancer is often identified and diagnosed in the course of a cancer screening, such as a colonoscopy. Though colorectal cancer is often highly treatable if discovered early, roughly a third of adults in the United States are not current on their colorectal cancer exams. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention approximates that about 68% of deaths resulting from colorectal cancer could be prevented if all eligible patients remained up to date on their colonoscopy exams.

If you have an average risk for colorectal cancer, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force urges you to undergo your first colorectal cancer screening at age 45. To set up a colorectal cancer screening in New Orleans, LA, please reach out to Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates.

Find out more about colorectal cancer screenings in New Orleans, LA

If diagnosed early, the prognosis for colon or rectal cancer is quite good. Colorectal cancer that has not grown farther than the colon or rectum may be successfully treated with a five-year rate of survival of about 90%. To learn more about colorectal cancer screenings in New Orleans, LA, please reach out to us today. The board-certified gastroenterologists at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates look forward to helping you protect your digestive health.

Being told you have cancer is something no patient wants to hear. Regardless of whether the news concerns you, a friend, or a member of your family, this type of diagnosis can be frightening. At Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates, we believe that being mindful of your risks can enable you to better manner a cancer diagnosis. Knowing the symptoms, indications, and your family’s history of colon and rectal cancer can help to detect it as early as possible and provide you with greater treatment options.

How is colon cancer detected?

Colon and rectal cancer is a cancer that develops in the colon (large intestine) or rectum. At times referred to as “bowel cancer” or “colorectal cancer,” this condition causes the cells in the large intestine or rectum to multiply out of control. Colorectal cancer can generally be treated, so we recommend that adults who are age 45 or older receive a regular colon cancer screening in New Orleans, LA to minimize their risk of this disease going undiagnosed. Furthermore, if you have a close relative with colorectal cancer or if you have been diagnosed with a bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, it is important to undergo screening for colorectal cancer once you turn age 45.

Know the signs and symptoms for increased colon cancer awareness

Apart from encouraging you to get colon cancer screenings periodically, we also recommend that you become familiar with colon cancer signs and symptoms. Although the indications may not be evident initially, understanding these signs and symptoms could help to diagnose the cancer as early as possible.

Common signs and symptoms of colon cancer can include:

• Changes in bowel habits or bowel movements
• Blood in your stool
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Persistent aches, pains, or abdominal cramps
• Unexplained weight loss
• Incomplete bowel movements

While these indications may seem generalized, if recurrent, it is a good idea to arrange for a consultation at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates so a GI specialist can evaluate your concerns. Our New Orleans, LA gastroenterologists prefer to be proactive when it comes to the health of our patients.

Can I get colon or rectal cancer if a family member has it?

If you have a relative or family member who has been diagnosed with colon cancer, you might have a greater chance of developing the disease. You can use this information to your benefit and make wise decisions when it comes to your health.

We recommend that when visiting your gastrointestinal doctor, you discuss as much of your family health history as possible. During your consultation, you should provide details about the health history of your mother, father, brothers, and sisters, and your mother and father’s sides of the family (grandparents, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and more). If possible, discuss the form of cancer your family member had, the time of diagnosis, and whether the cancer resulted in death. Having this information on hand can help our physicians establish the best possible preventive treatment plan for your health needs.

The doctors at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates may recommend that if an immediate member of your family has a history of colon cancer, you undergo a colonoscopy exam around 30 years of age. If the relative is not an immediate family member, we recommend colon cancer screenings around age 45.

Get screened for colon cancer in New Orleans, LA

Though facing cancer is always daunting, knowing the signs, symptoms, and risk factors can help you understand your chances of experiencing the disease and receive a diagnosis as early as possible. At Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates, our team is ready to help you screen for and detect colorectal cancer. To partner with a colonoscopy doctor in New Orleans, LA, contact our facility today.

You’ve heard along the way how alcohol can damage the liver – but do you know how alcohol affects your gut (and why it matters)?

1. Can damage GI tract

Your gut (also known as your intestines, colon, gastrointestinal tract, GI tract, and digestive tract) is the first place anything ingested comes into lasting contact within your body. Consuming alcohol – especially chronically and in large amounts – can damage your gut, and in turn spill over into the rest of your body.

Alcohol Irritates the gut and causes inflammation in your intestines. If your gut is inflamed it’s harder for it to absorb nutrients.

If nutrients aren’t absorbed, they’re just passing through and being eliminated as waste – which means your organs (and your body) aren’t getting the nutrients they need to stay strong and healthy. (And you could be “wasting” your healthy diet.)

Keeping your colon healthy is a big key in maintaining your overall health.

2. Can cause polyps – and increase risk of colon cancer

When alcohol is metabolized, it turns into a carcinogen in your body – and that can damage the cells in your colon, potentially causing mutations in those cells that can increase your risk for developing polyps.

While polyps themselves are benign at the beginning, that can turn into cancer – which is why it’s so important to have a colonoscopy, so the polyps can be detected and removed BEFORE they turn cancerous. Since polyps often present zero symptoms, a colonoscopy is the only way to know they’re present.

And that’s the best way for you to prevent colon cancer!

Ever gone out for a drink – or a night of drinks – and your time in the bathroom ends up a little different than normal?

On one hand, alcohol can speed up digestion, which can lead to diarrhea. However, on the other hand, it can delay digestion and lead to the opposite issue: Constipation.

You may have encountered one or both of these scenarios and didn’t give it a passing thought. However, repeated alcohol consumption – and the repeated diarrhea and constipation – can lead to more uncomfortable gut issues and concerns down the road than just an inconvenient bathroom trip or two.

Keep an eye on things with a colonoscopy

There are quite a few reasons for why you need a colonoscopy. And if you drink alcohol, there’s a simple way to check on how things are looking in your gut: With a colonoscopy. It will send a camera throughout your GI tract, and we’ll be able to see if there’s any inflammation – and how much – and if you have any polyps or other areas of concern. We can remove those polyps and actually PREVENT cancer by catching them before they become cancerous.

Schedule your colonoscopy now

If you’re 45 or older – or have personal or family history risk factors – it’s time for a colonoscopy. Call us today at (248) 273-9930 to schedule (or click here to make an appointment online). Gastrointestinal Specialists, P.C. in Troy, Michigan has a team of knowledgeable doctors – at our own surgical center and not a hospital – to make your colonoscopy as quick, simple, and painless as possible.

About 50,000 people in the United States pass away from colorectal cancer each year. Colon and rectal cancer is the second-most cause of cancer deaths for both men and women. Luckily, it is often highly treatable and, when diagnosed early, the prognosis can be quite good.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has provided approval for three kinds of home analysis tests for colon and rectal cancer. Such tests function by detecting abnormal deviations in the fecal matter, like blood or DNA markers for colorectal cancer. Though the relative simplicity of these tests might make them seem like a beneficial alternative, it is crucial to understand that colonoscopies remain the best option for identifying and preventing colon and rectal cancer. At Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates, our experienced gastroenterologists routinely provide colonoscopy screenings for New Orleans, LA patients.

Why get a colonoscopy?

Early discovery is key to effectively battling colon and rectal cancer. If cancer is found in the large intestine (colon) or rectum before it has a chance to spread, the five-year survival rate is about 90%. Although additional approaches to testing for colorectal cancer are obtainable, nothing has proved as accurate and reliable as the colonoscopy. The best weapons in the battle against colon cancer are colorectal cancer awareness and regular colonoscopies.

How will a colonoscopy exam detect colon or rectal cancer?

Before your procedure, your GI specialist will provide you with some groundwork guidelines to ensure your colon is empty throughout the procedure. These instructions typically include:

• Adjusting medications: If you use specific prescription drugs for blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes, then you might need to modify the amount you take or temporarily discontinue consuming them.
• Fasting: You could be asked to refrain from solid food and ingest solely transparent liquids for several hours prior to your exam.
• Taking a laxative: Your gastroenterologist might give you a laxative or “bowel prep” to empty your colon either the night before or the morning of your colonoscopy.

Throughout the exam, you will likely be provided a mild type of sedation for your comfort and then instructed to lie on your side. A flexible, narrow tube fitted with a camera on the end will be placed through your rectum. This tube, or colonoscope, is long enough to run through your entire colon. Your gastroenterologist will evaluate the images from the camera on a special monitor and screen for any abnormalities. In the event a polyp (growth) or another irregularity is identified, instruments can be utilized through the scope to take tissue samples for biopsy.

When is the best time to have a colonoscopy exam?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) proposes that patients schedule their initial colonoscopy screening at 45 years of age followed by once every decade when there is an average risk for the disease. If you have an elevated chance of having colorectal cancer, then your gastroenterologist might advise having colonoscopies at 3 to 5-year intervals. The risk factors for colorectal cancer include:

• Gastrointestinal diseases, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn’s disease
• Personal history of large polyps, multiple polyps, or colorectal cancer
• Type 2 diabetes
• Family history of colon or rectal cancer

Your GI physician might also recommend a colonoscopy exam if you are noticing any of these signs or symptoms of colon and rectal cancer:

• Chronic constipation
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stools
• Queasiness and vomiting
• Abdominal pain

Patients in New Orleans, LA who are showing these symptoms should call Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates to consult with a gastrointestinal physician promptly.

Why is a colonoscopy the gold standard for colorectal cancer screenings?

While a few home screening tests have received FDA approval, a colonoscopy remains the most effective way to detect colorectal cancer. In addition, large or potentially cancerous polyps can be excised during a colonoscopy which minimizes the need for further treatments. An individual who tests positive on an at-home screening test will still need to schedule a colonoscopy to confirm the results and have any polyps taken care of.

Is it time for a colon cancer screening in New Orleans, LA?

If you are age 45 or over, having periodic colon and rectal cancer screenings is an important part of safeguarding your health. A colonoscopy at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates can help identify and prevent colon cancer, providing you a good fighting chance if the cancer is identified early on and a sense of comfort if you are cancer-free. To set up your colonoscopy in New Orleans, LA, or to learn more about protecting yourself against colorectal cancer, please reach out to our gastroenterology clinic today.