Colonoscopy procedures are conveniently performed in a non-hospital setting. This provides our patients with a less intimidating environment than a large healthcare facility. Simply, the patients in our office are generally healthier than patients needing a procedure at a hospital, thus decreasing your chances of contracting illnesses.
An Open Access Colonoscopy allows healthy, age-appropriate patients to receive a screening colonoscopy without an initial office visit.
This scheduling option simplifies the process of getting a colonoscopy by:
- Saving you time away from work or home
- Saving you the expense of an office co-pay
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about an Open Access Colonoscopy at Lubbock Gastroenterology. Keep reading to see if this screening option may be right for you.
Qualifications for Open Access Colonoscopy
An Open Access Colonoscopy is an option for patients who are at average risk for colon cancer. You may be eligible for an Open Access Colonoscopy if you meet the following qualifications:
- Age 45 to 74
- No personal history of heart or breathing conditions
- No recent history of digestive symptoms
These qualifications may exclude many patients from taking advantage of this service. If you don’t qualify for an Open Access Colonoscopy, you will need to schedule a regular office visit before your procedure. During this visit, we will:
- Discuss your personal and family medical history
- Evaluate your digestive symptoms
- Address your questions or concerns
- Review colonoscopy prep instructions
- Discuss the colonoscopy procedure
Screening Colonoscopy Cost
A screening colonoscopy is usually covered by insurance 100%. But you should always check with your insurance provider before your appointment.
Self-paying patients should call our office, and we will go over the colonoscopy fees: facility, doctor, anesthesia, and lab biopsy evaluation (if needed).
Preparing for Open Access Colonoscopy
After scheduling your Open Access Colonoscopy, new patients will be asked to fill out a form, and then our office will send you the instructions for your colonoscopy prep.
Colonoscopy preparation cleans out your bowels to allow for the examination of the colon. If you fail to follow your prep instructions, you will need to reschedule your appointment.
Your colonoscopy preparation involves:
- Eating a low-fiber diet 3 days before your procedure
- Following a clear liquid diet the day before your procedure
- Taking the prescribed laxatives the day before your procedure
Because the goal of an Open Access Colonoscopy is to save time, your first meeting with Dr. Sameer Islam will occur briefly before your procedure. If you have any questions or concerns before the exam, our office is happy to address them. After the colonoscopy, Dr. Islam will go over your results with you.
The Gold Standard for Colon Cancer Screening
Colon cancer almost always develops from colon polyps. Colon polyps are growths that form in the inner lining of the colon. These polyps often grow slowly over 10 to 20 years before becoming cancerous.
A colonoscopy is the only colon cancer screening test that can both find and remove precancerous colon polyps in the same exam, making it the gold standard for colon cancer screening.
Other screening tests can only detect the presence of cancer. But the accuracy of these tests vary. If you receive a positive screening test other than a colonoscopy, you will need to undergo a colonoscopy to evaluate your test results.
A colonoscopy is the most accurate colon cancer screening test and allows for the visualization of the entire colon. A colonoscopy can reduce the rate of colon cancer by 40% and death from colon cancer by 60%.
Completing a colonoscopy can save you the inconvenience of undergoing another screening test. It can also save you money by avoiding the cost of extra co-pays or deductibles. Most importantly, a colonoscopy can save your life.
Selecting a Colonoscopy Doctor in Lubbock, TX
It’s crucial to select a doctor that is appropriately qualified to perform this procedure. You can determine a doctor’s skill and thoroughness during a colonoscopy by quality indicators such as:
- Adenoma detection rate (ADR). The ADR is the average number of polyps your doctor finds and removes during the colonoscopy.
- Cecal withdrawal time. This is the amount of time your doctor spends looking for colon polyps when removing the scope.
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) recommends the following quality performance for these indicators:
- Adenoma Detection Rate: 25%
- Cecal Withdrawal Time: 6 minutes
Dr. Sameer Islam’s average adenoma detection rate and withdrawal times are:
- Adenoma Detection Rate: 55%
- Cecal Withdrawal Time: 6.98 minutes
Dr. Sameer Islam’s average ADR and withdrawal times represent the high-quality colonoscopies he performs by exceeding the recommended ASGE guidelines. These performance metrics should instill confidence in the quality of colonoscopy you’ll be receiving at Lubbock Gastroenterology.
Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines
Everyone age 45 and older should receive colon cancer screening. The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals at average risk of colon cancer begin screening at age 45.
You are at average risk of colon cancer if you don’t have risk factors such as:
- Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- Personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Family history of hereditary colon cancer syndrome (familial adenomatous polyposis, Lynch syndrome)
- Personal history of radiation to the abdomen or pelvis
If you have any of the above risk factors, you’re at an increased risk for colon cancer. This means you may need to start screening before age 45.
Colon cancer screening can save your life. Don’t wait to begin screening until it’s too late. You can schedule a colonoscopy by making an appointment online or calling our office at 806-696-4440.
Colon Cancer Statistics
Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. There were an estimated 147,950 new cases of colorectal cancer in 2020. And an estimated 53,200 deaths from this disease.
Colon cancer has a higher incidence in:
- Individuals 45 years and older
- African Americans
But this disease is also prevalent in both genders and all races. Most people receive a diagnosis of colon cancer between the ages of 65 and 74. Shockingly, this age group also has the most deaths from colon cancer.
This highlights the importance of early colon cancer screening. Your chances of survival improve by catching the disease early. Colon cancer is curable 90% of the time when localized to the colon.
