March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and a vital time to emphasize and re-emphasize the importance of having a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer. According to Scarsdale gastroenterologist, Dr. Neville Bamji, with New York Gastroenterology Associates (www.nyga.md) a top gastroenterology practice featuring office locations in both Scarsdale and New York City, what’s most critical to note: a colonoscopy can actually prevent you from getting colon cancer. It is an outpatient procedure that can save your life since it can detect polyps early enough to remove them before they even turn into cancer.
Research shows that a great majority of colon cancer deaths could have been prevented by getting a routine colonoscopy so that the polyp is caught in the earlier “pre-clinical” stages of the disease process. This is called “secondary prevention.” If a polyp is seen during the colonoscopy procedure, it is cut out right at the time of the procedure. And, even if cancer is detected, it is usually found early when it can be extremely treatable.
Cancer.gov reports that one out of every 21 people will be diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer during their lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 50,000 die each year from the disease. According to a recently released report by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about one in three adults aged 50 to 75 years have not been tested for colorectal cancer. Says CDC Director Tom Frieden, “There are more than 20 million adults in this country who haven’t had any recommended screening for colorectal cancer and who may therefore get cancer and die from a preventable tragedy. Screening for colorectal cancer is effective and can save your life.”
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According to Dr. Bamji, one of NYGA’s gastroenterologists, who sees patients in both Scarsdale and Manhattan: “Most people report that the most challenging part of the colonoscopy is the day before when you need to prep. But, the actual colonoscopy done under anesthesia or sedation, is painless – and only lasts 30 to 60 minutes.”
And, more good news about colonoscopy… when it’s over and if there aren’t any polyps detected, you will have complete peace of mind and won’t have to repeat the procedure for another 5-10 years!
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Located at Two Overhill Road in Scarsdale, NY and at 311 East 79th Street in New York City -- NYGA is one of New York’s top gastroenterology practices affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital. The practice includes five of the nation’s top physicians, who are all renowned for their ongoing research endeavors and contributions to the medical field. The NYGA medical team continuously develops and evaluates methods to improve the patient’s experience with colonoscopies, upper endoscopies and other GI procedures.
Unlike most gastroenterology groups, NYGA offers an on-site pathology laboratory and an on-site pathologist so that patients receive their results faster (often within 24 hours), and allows for close cross-disciplinary communication between the team of gastroenterologists and the pathologist.
To schedule a colonoscopy consultation, and for more tips and health information, please contact any of the five top gastroenterologists at New York Gastroenterology Associates (NYGA), who are all renowned for their ongoing research endeavors and contributions to the medical field. NYGA provides personal concierge-level service, easy scheduling and has two convenient office locations. To schedule an appointment, call 212-996-6622, www.nyga.md.
