Colorectal Cancer Screening Services in Lamesa, Texas
A colorectal cancer screening is a crucial examination when it comes to preventative care. The main purpose of this assessment is to detect precancerous growths, to remove them before they turn into cancer, or early-stage cancer, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
If you’re in Lamesa, Texas, book your cancer screening with South Plains Rural Health Services to protect your health for the long-term.
About Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal or bowel cancer affects the colon or rectum and is a chronic, serious, and even life-threatening disease. A colorectal cancer screening is an assessment performed by a specialized provider with the purpose of testing for precancerous polyps (abnormal cells growing in the colon or rectum) or detecting cancer in early stages. This is when treatment is more likely to be successful and when the risk of the disease being fatal is lower.
When Should a Colorectal Cancer Screening Be Done
The risk of developing this disease increases with age, being more common in patients over the age of 50. Most healthcare providers recommend regular screenings beginning at age 45. However, your primary care physician might recommend checking early if your family or medical history puts you at higher risk of developing the disease, for instance:
- Family history of bowel cancer or polyps.
- Medical history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
- Medical history of inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis.
- Genetic or hereditary syndromes like familial adenomatous polyposis or Lynch syndrome.
Why Is Screening for Colorectal Cancer Important
Screening for cancer is a crucial part of both preventative medicine and a key aspect of maintaining your body healthy for longer. After all, diseases like cancer usually go undetected in early stages, since symptoms tend to be absent or vague, until they develop into advanced stages. It is in advanced stages that cancer spreads, alarming symptoms start to show up, and treatment requires chemotherapy and combined approaches to fight the disease.
When it comes to protecting your health, screening serves two main purposes:
Prevention
Identifying and removing precancerous polyps, before they turn malignant and spread to other parts of the body, causing alarming symptoms.
Early detection
Locating precancerous polyps or tumors in early stages, even before symptoms appear, when treatment options are more likely to be successful.
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Screening for Bowel Cancer in Lamesa, Texas
There are several tests that can be employed to check for and identify precancerous polyps and early-stage cancer in the rectum or colon at South Plains Rural Health Services in Lamesa, Texas. Each screening has its own benefits and limitations. Additionally, the frequency with which the disease should be tested varies depending on the method employed.
Types of colorectal cancer screening include:
- GFOBT: The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) is a non-invasive way to check for the presence of blood in the stool, a possible early sign of bowel cancer. This test should be repeated yearly.
- FIT stool test: The fecal immunochemical (FIT) test is another non-invasive method to check for hidden blood in the stool. This exam should also be performed every year.
- FIT-DNA test: Also known as the stool DNA test, combines the FIT with a test to check for altered DNA in the stool. This method should be done every 1 to 3 years.
- Colonoscopy: If any of the previous tests showed positive or abnormal results, it should be promptly followed up with a colonoscopy. This procedure finds and removes polyps and some cancers and should be performed every 10 years.
FAQ
Do I need to worry about a colonoscopy?
Although it is usual to be anxious about a colonoscopy, the procedure doesn't need to be a major cause of concern. This is a safe, effective, and typically painless method to diagnose and prevent bowel cancer where the patient is given sedation or anesthesia to ensure comfort throughout.
What is the biggest red flag for colon cancer?
Colon cancer mainly goes undetected during early stages, since symptoms are usually not present yet. However, the biggest red flag is blood in your stool or rectal bleeding, this could also be accompanied by changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or iron deficiency.
Does insurance cover colorectal cancer screenings?
Yes, Medicare and most private insurances fully cover colorectal cancer screenings, from tests to colonoscopies, for patients starting at age 45 and those who are at risk of developing the disease.
How frequent should my colorectal cancer screening be?
The frequency of your colorectal cancer screening depends on the method used to test for it. Stool-based tests (like the FIT or the gFOBT) should be performed every year, while the stool DNA-FIT test is recommended every 1 to 3 years depending on the risk of developing the disease, and the colonoscopy is advised every 10 years.
Protect Your Health with Early Diagnosis in Lamesa, Texas
Receiving an early diagnosis and treatment for diseases like bowel cancer can save your life and protect your health for the long-term. If your primary care provider recommended that you do a colorectal cancer screening or you’re at the age where doing it is advised, our healthcare professionals are here to help you. Contact us or visit us in Lamesa, Texas, to handle your preventative care with a compassionate team of providers.