You no longer have to drink liter after liter of unpleasant solution to prepare for your colonoscopy. Plus, our doctors have above-average precancerous polyp detection rates! Better results and maximal convenience is what we offer at Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio. Read on to discover more reasons why you should choose us for your colonoscopy.
This is the 4th colonoscopy I have had and by far the easiest and most pleasant if I can get anyone to accept that thought. The staff was tremendous: polite, profession and positive. From the time I was checked it until the time I woke up. Dr. Arnold was great. Can’t say enough from the email sent prior to the procedure and the conscientious follow-up afterward. 11 out of 10!
Colorectal cancer is highly preventable, and timely colonoscopies are the only way to achieve that goal. Don’t wait for symptoms!
If you’re age 45+ (or younger, if you’re at higher risk of colorectal cancer), then it’s time to have a colonoscopy.
Here are some risk factors that may warrant having your first colonoscopy before age 45:
After your first colonoscopy, you should have one done:
In 2018, The American Cancer Society lowered their screening recommendation to age 45. Recently, the US Preventive Services Task Force and US Multi-Society Task Force changed their recommendation to age 45 as well. However, only a few insurance companies have adjusted their reimbursement policies to reflect the new recommendations.
Please check with your insurance company to see if they have adopted the new guidelines to cover screening colonoscopies.
People with a life expectancy of more than 10 years and in good health should continue regular colorectal cancer screening through the age of 75.
People ages 76 through 85, should consider screening based on personal preferences, life expectancy, overall health, and prior screening history.
People over 85 should no longer get colorectal cancer screening.
Precancerous polyps don’t typically produce noticeable symptoms. Colon cancer that is found early has a 90% survival rate for 5 years. That number goes down to only 15% if it is found at a later stage and has already spread to other parts of the body.
If you have any of the following signs of colorectal cancer, seek our assistance immediately:
All colorectal cancers start as precancerous polyps, which are growths that protrude from the inner wall of the large intestine. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for finding and painlessly removing these polyps before they turn into cancer.
In fact, US colon and rectal cancer rates have dropped 30% in the last 10 years among adults age 50+. Why? More Americans are having screening colonoscopies to prevent cancer. But despite that, colorectal cancer is still the third-leading cancer killer in the United States. Let’s work together to change that.
Using a colonoscope, we inspect your entire rectum and colon.
A colonoscope is a thin, flexible tube with several devices on the end, including a light, camera and a tool for removing polyps. Your doctor will insert the colonoscope and guide it to the end of the colon, and then slowly remove it while looking for polyps. Fecal matter can hide polyps from view, so excellent preparation is important. If your doctor finds a polyp, he will painlessly remove it and send it to a pathology lab for examination.
By choosing GCSA for your colonoscopy, you’re securing a thorough, professional procedure and improving your odds of avoiding colorectal cancer. We exceed the national standard in three key areas of colonoscopy performance. By ensuring we reach the end of the colon and taking our time during the examination, we discover precancerous polyps far more frequently than the average practice. Here are the numbers to prove it:
| GCSA | National Standard |
|---|---|
| 99.9% | 95% |
| GCSA | National Average |
|---|---|
| 7 minutes | 6 minutes |
| GCSA | National Standard |
|---|---|
| Male: 45% | Male: 30% |
| Female: 34% | Female: 20% |
Because screening colonoscopies are the gold standard for preventing colorectal cancer, most insurance plans (including Medicare) will exempt them from your deductible, minimizing or eliminating your out-of-pocket costs! To learn more about the difference between screening and diagnostic colonoscopies, click here.
There are also more companies that are covering screening colonoscopies starting at the recommended age of 45, rather than 50. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and Cigna all cover colonoscopies starting at 45.
If your insurance does not cover colonoscopy screenings beginning at age 45, we recommend asking the insurance company to review the new guidelines from the American Cancer Society. The more patients who make this request, the faster insurance companies will update their reimbursement policies.
Colonoscopies typically receive excellent insurance coverage, and we accept a wide variety of plans to make screening for colorectal cancer affordable for as many people as possible. However, your plan may still require some out-of-pocket contribution. We offer CareCredit® and in-house financing to make sure you can access this important procedure. To learn more about insurance and financial policies, visit our FAQ.
To schedule an appointment or learn more about how Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio specializes in easy-prep colonoscopies in the San Antonio communities of Medical Center, Stone Oak, Northeast, Westover Hills, Boerne or Bulverde, call 210.614.1234 today. You can also request an appointment online here.
“My first time for a colonoscopy, everyone there was extremely nice, helpful, and made me feel completely at ease. Everything was explained thoroughly beforehand and I felt fine afterwards. I would recommend this office on Toepperein to anyone who needs a procedure done right.” – Lisa
“Went to GCSA this week for my dreaded first colonoscopy. I highly recommend Dr. James Jackson! He immediately put me at ease and spoke with me before and after the procedure. All the nurses and anesthesiologist were also great! Everything went well and I received the best news possible- come back in 10 years!!” -Jaycene
“A colonoscopy is not what you look forward to but it is necessary part of life after 50. Dr. Jorge Cavazos puts you at ease and make the experience tolerable. The word colonoscopy is scary but not with Dr. Cavazos as your Dr. Plus Gastroenterology Consultants uses an easier prep and a sample diet that makes it even easier.” -Paula
“The prep wasn’t nearly as bad as I was expecting. Everyone had me scared that it was a lot of volume, but it was one glass in the evening and one in the morning. Super easy!” -JoAnn
“The prep was much easier to take (this time).” -Matt
“The prep this time was much easier than 10 years ago.” -Keith
“This was my first screening colonoscopy and the negative comments about the prep were not true for me.” -John
“The new way they do the prep is easy and lets you get a good night’s sleep.” -Gary
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