Colon Polyps & Colon Cancer Screening

Colon polyps and Colon Cancer Screening

Colon polyps can develop in anyone however the risk is higher with age over 45, obesity, smoking or if there is a personal or family history of colon polyps or colon cancer. Some of these polyps are neoplastic which means they can progress to cancer. Since most polyps do not cause symptoms, it is important to have regular colorectal cancer screening to detect and remove them before they progress to cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. People with increased or high risk for colorectal cancer might need to start colorectal cancer screening before the age of 45, be screened more often, and/or get specific tests. The best prevention for colon cancer is through regular screening for polyps. We offer colonoscopy for colon cancer screening which is also the gold standard test and has an additional advantage of precancerous polyp removal.

Occasionally colon polyps are large in size or complex in appearance. Our team of interventional gastroenterologists is experienced in endoscopic removal of these polyps using techniques such as Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD).

In addition to routine screening colonoscopy, we offer following services

• Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for large polyp
• Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for large polyp
• Flexible robotic surgery for removal of colon polyp (Under Research IRB)
• Double balloon assisted colonoscopy for previously failed colonoscopy