Gastroenterology Pearland, Houston, Bay City, Lake Jackson
Conditions
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, yet it is also one of the most preventable
cancers through regular screening. At Your GI Center, we provide comprehensive colon cancer screening services at three convenient Southeast Texas locations in Houston, Bay City, and Lake Jackson. Our board-certified gastroenterologists have performed thousands of colonoscopies over our 25+ years of service, combining technical expertise with a commitment to patient comfort and safety. Early detection through screening saves lives, and we make this life-saving service accessible to communities throughout Southeast Texas.
Colorectal cancer typically develops slowly over many years, beginning as benign polyps (abnormal growths) on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Most polyps remain benign, but some types, particularly adenomatous polyps, can transform into cancer over time. Screening allows detection and removal of polyps before they become cancerous, effectively preventing cancer development. When colorectal cancer is detected at an early, localized stage, the five-year survival rate exceeds 90%. Unfortunately, many colorectal cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment is less effective and survival rates are lower, underscoring the critical importance of screening.
Current guidelines from the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that adults at average risk for colorectal cancer begin regular screening at age 45. This recommendation was recently lowered from age 50 due to increasing rates of colorectal cancer in younger adults. Screening should continue through age 75 for most individuals. For adults ages 76-85, the decision to screen should be individualized based on overall health, life expectancy, and prior screening history.
Certain individuals are at higher than average risk and require earlier or more frequent screening. Those with a personal history of colorectal polyps or cancer need more frequent surveillance colonoscopy, with intervals determined by the number, size, and type of polyps found. Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) affecting the colon require regular surveillance colonoscopy beginning 8-10 years after diagnosis due to increased cancer risk. Family history significantly affects risk; those with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) diagnosed with colorectal cancer or advanced polyps before age 60 should begin screening at age 40 or 10 years before the youngest affected relative’s diagnosis, whichever comes first.
Hereditary cancer syndromes including Lynch syndrome (hereditary non polyposis colorectal cancer) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) dramatically increase colorectal cancer risk and require specialized screening protocols beginning in the teens or twenties. Genetic counseling and testing should be considered for individuals with strong family histories of colorectal or related cancers.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is widely considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening because it allows both detection and removal of polyps in a single procedure. During colonoscopy, a thin, flexible tube with a high-definition camera (colonoscope) is gently inserted through the rectum and advanced through the entire colon. This provides direct visualization of the colonic lining, allowing identifycation of polyps, cancers, inflammation, and other abnormalities.
When polyps are found during colonoscopy, they can typically be removed immediately using specialized instruments passed through the colonoscope. This polypectomy prevents potential cancer development. Tissue samples (biopsies) can be obtained from suspicious areas for microscopic examination. The entire procedure typically takes 20-30 minutes, though preparation time and recovery add to the total visit duration.
Colonoscopy preparation is essential for a successful examination. The colon must be thoroughly cleansed to allow clear visualization. Preparation involves following a clear liquid diet the day before the procedure and drinking a prescribed bowel preparation solution that causes diarrhea to empty the colon. While preparation is often cited as the most unpleasant aspect of colonoscopy, modern bowel prep regimens are more tolerable than older formulations, and
our staff provides detailed instructions and support to help patients complete preparation successfully.
Colonoscopy is performed under sedation to ensure patient comfort. Most patients receive moderate sedation (conscious sedation) using medications like midazolam and fentanyl, which cause relaxation and drowsiness while allowing patients to respond to instructions. Some patients prefer deeper sedation with propofol, administered by an anesthesiologist. Patients do not typically remember the procedure and report minimal discomfort.
After colonoscopy, patients recover in a monitored area until sedation effects wear off, usually 30-60 minutes. Because sedation impairs judgment and coordination, patients must arrange for a responsible adult to drive them home. Most patients can resume normal activities the following day.
While colonoscopy is the most comprehensive screening method, several alter natives exist for individuals who decline colonoscopy or for whom colonoscopy is not appropriate.
Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) detects hidden blood in stool, which may indicate polyps or cancer. This simple home test is performed annually. While less sensitive than colonoscopy, FIT is non-invasive and has no preparation requirements. Abnormal FIT results require follow-up colonoscopy.
Stool DNA test (Cologuard) detects both blood and DNA markers associated with colorectal cancer and polyps. Performed every three years, this test is more sensitive than FIT but also requires colonoscopy follow-up if abnormal.
CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) uses CT imaging to create detailed pictures of the colon. While less invasive than colonoscopy, it still requires bowel preparation, exposes patients to radiation, and cannot remove polyps if found. Abnormal findings require conventional colonoscopy.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy examines only the lower third of the colon and is performed every five years, often combined with annual FIT testing. It is less comprehensive than colonoscopy and misses polyps or cancers in the upper colon.
It is important to understand that non-colonoscopy screening methods are not equivalent to colonoscopy. They detect some but not all cancers and polyps, and abnormal results necessitate colonoscopy anyway. For individuals at average risk who are willing and able to undergo the procedure, colonoscopy every 10 years is the preferred screening strategy.
The benefits of colorectal cancer screening are substantial and well-documented. Screening reduces colorectal cancer mortality by 60-70% through early detection of curable cancers and prevention of cancer by removing precancerous polyps. Colonoscopy provides peace of mind, as a normal examination means no further screening is needed for 10 years in average-risk individuals. Early-stage colorectal cancers detected through screening are highly treatable, often requiring less aggressive treatment than advanced cancers.
Why Choose
At Your GI Center, we have provided high-quality colonoscopy services to Southeast Texas communities for over 25 years. Our board-certified gastroenterologists have extensive experience performing colonoscopy and are committed to thorough, careful examinations. We utilize high-definition colonoscopy equipment and advanced techniques to maximize polyp detection rates.
Patient comfort and safety are our top priorities. We provide compassionate care in a professional, accredited endoscopy facility. Our staff takes time to answer questions, address concerns, and ensure patients feel informed and comfortable throughout the screening process.
With offices in Houston, Bay City, and Lake Jackson, we provide convenient access to life-saving colon cancer screening throughout Southeast Texas. Patients in Matagorda County and the Brazosport area no longer need to travel to Houston for this important preventive service.
If you are age 45 or older and have not had recent colon cancer screening, or if you have risk factors requiring earlier or more frequent screening, don’t delay this potentially life-saving procedure. Contact Your GI Center today to schedule your colonoscopy consultation.
To schedule your appointment, call 1-888-292-0010 or contact your preferred location: