What is a Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a type of procedure where a physician evaluates the entire large intestine while you are sedated. An instrument called a colonoscope is inserted through the anus to evaluate the colon for polyps (growths that may have the potential to become colon cancer).
Why have a Colonoscopy?
Polyps are growths within the colon that can progress into cancer. They are detected and removed in upwards of 40% of individuals undergoing a colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer incidence is increasing in younger individuals and is the second highest cause of cancer related death in the United States. Having colonoscopy at regular intervals is a safe way of minimizing the risk of developing colon cancer.
What is Fast Track Colonoscopy?
Fast Track Colonoscopy is the ability for healthy patients who are at low risk for colon cancer to bypass an office visit and directly schedule their procedure.
How to schedule a Fast Track Colonoscopy
If you answer
YES to all of the following questions you may be eligible:
- Are you between the age of 45 to 75 years of age and in good health?
- Are you free of major medical issues?
- Such as stroke, seizures, diabetes, heart disease, clotting disorders, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, severe obesity (BMI >50), sleep apnea, alcohol or drug abuse.
- Are you free of gastrointestinal issues?
- Such as bleeding, change in bowel habits (constipation/diarrhea), diverticulitis, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, uncontrolled reflux, unexplained weight loss, Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease
If you answered
YES to the above, you must also answer
NO to the following
to remain eligible:
- Are you currently taking any blood thinners with the exception of aspirin?
- Such as clopidogrel (Plavix), ticagrelor (Brilinta), warfarin (Coumadin), Xarelto, Eliquis, Pradaxa, Lovenox
- Do you have a history of small intestine or colon surgery?
If you meet the above criteria, please email
FastTrackSouthJerseyGastro@advocaredoctors.com with your full name, date of birth and phone number. A staff member will then contact you and if you are eligible, get you scheduled!
If you do not meet the criteria above, you will need an office visit for evaluation prior to scheduling your colonoscopy.
What to Expect the day of Colonoscopy:
- You will meet your board-certified gastroenterologist and our anesthesia team
- You will undergo a colonoscopy
- The gastroenterologist will review the colonoscopy findings with you shortly after the procedure, before you leave
- We will reach out to you when your next colonoscopy is due. Together we can prevent colon cancer!
