Family Physicians of Carmel

The doctors at Family Physicians of Carmel recommend that our patients follow the American Cancer Society's guidelines for colon cancer screening. Listed below are some facts about colon cancer that make us believe colon cancer screening is worthwhile,

Colorectal cancer is the second greatest cause of death from cancer in the United States.
The incidence of colon cancer increases steadily after the age of 50.
Each year about 150,000 new cases are diagnosed and about 55,000 people die from the disease.
There is a 6% lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer and in about 50% of those cases, it
will be fatal.
Virtually all colorectal cancers arrive from precancerous polyps and removal of these polyps can
prevent malignancy.
It generally takes five to seven years for a one centimeter polyp to develop from normal colon
tissue, and another five to seven years for that polyp to become cancerous. Therefore there is a
window often years or so for us to detect and remove these pre-malignant polyps. Occasionally a
cancer may develop more rapidly.
Early stage colorectal cancer is most often curable with surgical removal.

For average risk patients annual stool testing for occult blood is recommended. This is accomplished by the hemoccult test obtained from your doctor. Also recommended, a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, or a screening colonoscopy about every ten years, both starting at age 50. For people at higher risk, meaning patients who have had previous polyps or have a family history of colon cancer, the colonoscopy is recommended every three to five years.

A sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy is a procedure that is performed by a gastrointestinal specialist. This involves a flexible tube, about the size of your little finger, inserted into the rectum and advanced up into the colon to examine and locate polyps, abnormalities and cancers. If polyps are found, they can be removed through the colonoscope and evaluated for cancer. A sigmoidoscope is a shorter instrument that is used without an anesthetic, is done as an outpatient, and only takes a few minutes. A colonoscopy is done on an outpatient basis and is usually performed with the administration of a light IV anesthetic sedation. A colonoscope is a slightly more involved procedure, takes a little longer to perform and a longer instrument is used during this exam. A prep is involved with this procedure that requires the use of a laxative the day before the testing. The colon needs to be clean in order to detect small polyps easily and accurately. We are currently sending out patients to one of three locations for the screening colonoscopies or sigmoidoscopies. Dr. Scott Pittman in Carmel, 13450 N Meridian, 582-7185. Dr. Dan Stout, 1120 AAA Way, Carmel, 848-5494. You may want to check with your insurance carrier to see if you have coverage for these tests. We are recommending that all of our patients at the age of 50 have a screening colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy performed. Should you have questions about this screening, please feel free to contact our office.