There are many methods that may be used to screen patients for colorectal cancer. These methods include testing stool for occult (hidden) blood, performing barium enema (an x-ray of the colon filled with liquid contrast and air), having a specially designed cat scan of the abdomen (“virtual colonoscopy”), or undergoing a flexible sigmoidoscopy or full colonoscopy. As mentioned above, the best currently available screening procedure is colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is a very sensitive, reliable, and relatively safe procedure. Moreover, colonoscopy is the only screening procedure during which the pre-cancerous polyps and even small cancers may be successfully removed.
Our practice offers a new approach to screening for colorectal cancer called Open Access Colonoscopy, which makes screening colonoscopy much easier and less time-consuming. In this program, relatively healthy patients eligible for screening for colorectal cancer may have a colonoscopy performed without a prior visit to our clinic.
