Colon cancer screening is a potentially life-saving test. Cameron Sikavi, MD, at Innovative GI Health and Wellness in the Beverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, is an experienced gastroenterologist with advanced endoscopic training who performs colon cancer screenings. To schedule your screening, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that affects the large intestine, or colon. It’s one of the most common types of cancer and fatal when left untreated. Regular screening for this type of cancer can find it early, allowing for more successful treatment.
Screening for colon cancer involves tests such as colonoscopies and fecal occult blood tests (FOBT), which look for abnormal cells or polyps in the colon that may become cancerous over time.
The American Cancer Society recommends that all adults at average risk of colon cancer start colon cancer screening at age 45. However, you may need to start colon cancer screening at an earlier age if you have risk factors such as a family history of colon cancer or personal history of polyps.
Polyps are benign growths that may turn cancerous when left untreated. Colon polyps are common, even in people with no family history of colon cancer.
People with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis — may also need to start colon cancer screening at an earlier age. Dr. Sikavi or your primary care provider can discuss when you should start colon cancer screening.
There are many types of colon cancer screening tests. Some of the tests include:
Colonoscopy is the gold-standard colon cancer screening test. During a colonoscopy, Dr. Sikavi examines the entire length of the large intestine and removes precancerous polyps using an endoscope.
If your colonoscopy is negative, you only need to repeat the test every 10 years.
Sigmoidoscopy is an endoscopic test that evaluates only the last section of your large intestine. If Dr. Sikavi finds polyps or other abnormal tissue during your sigmoidoscopy, he may recommend a colonoscopy for further evaluation.
If your sigmoidoscopy is negative, you need to repeat the screening test every five years.
FOBT is a colon cancer screening test that looks for blood and abnormal cells in your stool. If your FOBT results are positive, you need a colonoscopy. If your FOBT is negative, you need to repeat the screening every year.
Dr. Sikavi is a skilled gastroenterologist with advanced endoscopy training. To learn more about colon cancer screening at Innovative GI Health and Wellness, call or schedule an appointment online today.