Colon Cancer Screening

Gastrocare of Southwest Ohio LLC

Gastroenterologists located in Hamilton, OH & Middletown, OH

If you’re at risk of colon cancer or experience new or unusual gastrointestinal symptoms, you can turn to Gastrocare of Southwest Ohio LLC in Hamilton and Monroe, Ohio. Gastroenterologist Dilip Bearelly, MD, and his exceptional team offer colon cancer screening and can remove cancerous tissue before it spreads to other areas of your body. Call the office or request an appointment online today.

Colon Cancer Screening Q & A

What is colon cancer screening?

Colon cancer screening is a procedure that detects or rules out cancerous tissue in the lower part of your gastrointestinal tract (GI) tract. Your colon, also known as your large intestine, is the final part of your digestive tract. Detecting and treating colon cancer early can save your life.

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

You may not experience any symptoms of colon cancer, especially in its early stages. If the cancer progresses, however, you might notice the following:

Rectal bleeding
Blood in your stool
Diarrhea
Constipation
Changes in stool consistency
Cramps, abdominal pain, or gas
Weakness
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty entirely

At the first sign of new or unusual GI symptoms, see the Gastrocare of Southwest Ohio LLC team for an evaluation.

What are the risk factors for colon cancer?

Colon cancer can happen to anyone, but some factors increase your risk of developing it. Examples include older age, a personal or family history of colon cancer, and inflammatory intestinal conditions – such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Other risk factors include a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, diabetes, and a low-fiber diet, as well as smoking, heavy alcohol use, and radiation therapy for cancer.

What should I expect during colon cancer screening?

When you arrive at Gastrocare of Southwest Ohio LLC for a colon cancer screening, Dr. Bearelly reviews your medical history and asks about your symptoms. He completes a physical exam and might recommend you undergo a stool test, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or CT scan.

During a colonoscopy, which requires special preparation before the procedure, Dr. Bearelly examines the inside of your colon using a long, flexible tube with a camera attached to it. He can remove polyps (growths) or take tissue samples to send to a laboratory for analysis during the procedure.

A sigmoidoscopy is similar to a colonoscopy, but Dr. Bearelly views only the lower part of your colon during this procedure. During a capsule endoscopy, you swallow a pill-sized camera that takes videos of the inside of your intestines.

What is the treatment for colon cancer?

Colon cancer treatment varies based on the type and stage of your cancer. Your treatment might be as simple as removing polyps during a routine colonoscopy.

In more advanced stages of colon cancer, Dr. Bearelly may need to remove part of your colon. You might require lymph node removal, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted drug therapy.

Don’t let colon cancer go undetected and untreated. Schedule a colon cancer screening with Gastrocare of Southwest Ohio LLC by phone or request an appointment online today.

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