Gastro Center NJ Recommends Routine Colonoscopy Screenings Starting at Age 45

One of the Premier colonoscopy centers in New Jersey, Gastro Center NJ, recommends screenings beginning at age 45 for all people at average risk of colon cancer. In other words, those without a family history of the disease should highly consider getting a colonoscopy done somewhere around their 45th birthday. This is something these experts on early colon cancer detection are passionate about. Even the American Cancer Society now puts out similar guidelines regarding these all-important cancer screenings.

A spokesperson for the center informed us that they recommend the 45 year age mark for the screening based on what they and other clinics have observed during colorectal screenings over a large number of years. It’s also a fact that colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer in the USA. On average there are almost 150,000 people in America that are diagnosed with it each year. It is such a common form of cancer that 1 in 19 men and 1 in 21 women are likely to develop some form of it in their lifetime.

Those at the screening center stated that these are numbers that should definitely make a colorectal screening a priority for anyone who is over 45 years old and never had one done before. They added that the 45 year age or earlier mark for screening takes on even more importance for those who are considered at high risk of getting colorectal cancer. This includes those with a family history of the disease.

The screening center also reminds people that as with all cancers, the survival rate for colorectal cancer significantly increases with early detection. For early detection of localized colon cancer, the survival rate is estimated to be at better than 90%. This survival estimate is greatly reduced when this form of cancer has progressed in one’s body. That’s what makes colorectal screening so vital to one’s health care regimen as they age.

The center’s spokesperson also talked about why no one should be afraid to get this procedure done. They said, “Getting a colonoscopy screening done is a fairly simple outpatient procedure in a large majority of cases. Many screening clinics like ours have an expert team of medical professionals that are very experienced keeping people comfortable during this type of cancer screening. Contrary to what many people think, it’s a painless procedure that is done under sedation in most cases. The actual screening part of the procedure only takes 20 – 30 minutes from start to finish on average.”

Colorectal cancer screening facilities like theirs also use the latest and best equipment for the screening. This consists of such things as ultra-flexible scopes that send back high-definition video to those doctors that are performing the procedure. This advanced equipment helps the screening team get an extremely clear picture of the current condition of a patient’s colon, rectum and other parts of the large intestine.

The spokesperson also stated that in 50% of colonoscopy screenings the examining team will find evidence of polyps. These are grape-like benign (precancerous) growths that are generally harmless but have the possibility of becoming cancerous. Any polyps that are concerning to the screening team can be removed endoscopically during the procedure without the need for invasive surgery.

The colorectal screening itself is also almost 100% covered under most health care plans preventative services section. Those at the Gastro Center NJ or other screening centers can help someone find out what the screening would cost them with just a simple phone call.

Gastro Center NJ offers many other forms of diagnostic digestive system screenings and testing too. These consist of such procedures as Upper Endoscopies, Capsule Endoscopies, and Hemorrhoid Ablation.

Anyone that wants more information on colorectal screenings and their importance can visit Dr. Theodore A DaCosta’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheodoreADaCostaMD/. He is the lead doctor at Gastro Center NJ who is an award-winning gastroenterologist. Dr. DaCosta has specialized in Internal Medicine for over 29 years. There are many informative videos on his Facebook page where he expertly explains how colonoscopies are done, why they are important, and answers other frequently asked questions about colon cancer and colonoscopy screenings.