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Common Questions

General Questions:
Q. What is a Gastroenterologist?
A. A gastroenterologist is a physician with specialized training and experience in the diagnosis and management of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
Q. Is Audubon GI, PSC, affiliated with Methodist Hospital?
A. While the medical practice is independently owned by the physicians, Dr. Noel Canlas and Dr. Karen Canlas are affiliated with Methodist Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, Surgicare Center, Deaconess, and Deaconess Gateway.
Procedure Questions:
Q. What preparation is required for an upper endoscopy?
A. If you have an upper endoscopy, as with any procedure, you will need to remain off of any blood thinners for 3 to 5 days prior to your procedure. Your physician will discuss this with you in greater detail prior to your procedure. Also, you must not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before, including medications- unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Q. I have heard that the preparation for a colonoscopy is horrible. What laxative preparation options are available to me?
A. You must remain on a clear liquid diet all day the day before. We will provide you with a sample menu. There are a few different options available for laxative preparation. When you come for your office visit prior to scheduling your procedure, your physician and/or the nurse will discuss with you different preparations to find the one that will best suit you and your needs. While none of them are pleasant, having a clean colon is very necessary in order to have a good, complete exam. If you are given a split-dose preparation, it is very important to complete your preparation 2 hours before the scheduled time of your procedure.
Q. Where will my procedure be performed?
A. Your procedure will be performed at one of three locations: Methodist Hospital, St. Mary's, Surgicare, or Deaconess Hospital.
Q. Will I need a driver for my procedure?
A. Yes, you must have a driver for your procedure. You will be sedated for your procedure and therefore will be too sleepy or groggy to drive yourself home. It is also nice to have someone with you that will be available to speak with your doctor after the procedure for any special instructions. You will remain groggy for 4 to 6 hours after your procedure, so we recommend that you do not plan anything for that day.
Q. How long will my procedure take?
A. An upper endoscopy will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes. A colonoscopy will take approximately 20 to 35 minutes. However, plan to be at the hospital for a total of 2 to 3 hours for pre-procedure preparation and recovery.
Q. When can I eat after my procedure?
A. You may eat and take all medications as soon as you arrive home from your procedure, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
Q. When will I receive the test results from my endoscopy procedure?
A. Immediately following your procedure, your physician will have a brief discussion with you or your family member about the findings during the procedure. If biopsies are taken, those results can take 3 to 5 days before your physician receives them for interpretation. If you are not scheduled a follow-up office visit before you leave the hospital, your physician will either send you a letter in the mail or call you with the results.
Important Information about Colon Cancer and Colonoscopy:
Q. What is colon cancer?
A. Colon cancer is the 3rd most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S. It is the 2nd leading cause of cancer in the U.S. Colon cancer is a malignant tumor involving the colon or large intestine. Rectal cancer is a malignant tumor involving the lowest portion of the colon, near the anus.
Q. What are the symptoms of colon cancer?
A. There may be no symptoms at all! If symptoms do occur, they generally including bleeding, abdominal pain, change in bowel habit with new onset constipation or diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, or bloating. If you wait until symptoms occur, it may be too late. Discuss with your primary physician or gastroenterologist about your appropriate time to get screened.
Q. What is my risk of developing colon cancer if I live in the United States?
A. Your lifetime risk (defined as life to 85 years old) is approximately 6% (male or female). Your risk is roughly doubled if one (1) first degree relative (parent, sibling or child) had colon cancer or polyps after age 50, and is higher if the cancer or polyps were diagnosed at a younger age or if more members of your family are affected. Certain inherited disorders, for example, polyposis syndromes and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, can increase your risk of developing colon cancer, but those are rare. Other important risk factors include obesity, cigarette smoking, inflammatory conditions in the colon such as Crohn's, colitis and ulcerative colitis, and excessive alcohol consumption. Your doctor is in the best position to discuss whether your personal or family history suggests one of those conditions.
Q. Has colonoscopy been shown to be effective in preventing cancer of the colon and saving lives?
A. Yes. Colon cancer is preventable! Colonoscopy accomplishes this by detecting and removing polyps, and detecting early cancers. Recent data show that both the number of new cases of colon cancer (incidence) and deaths from the disease are decreased when colonoscopy is performed according to established guidelines.
Q. Are there other methods to examine my colon besides colonoscopy?
A. Yes, there are alternative methods to examine the colon, but none are considered more accurate at colon cancer and polyp detection than colonoscopy. For colon cancer screening, it should be noted that colonoscopy has the highest sensitivity and is the only test that is both diagnostic and therapeutic.
Alternatives tests to colonoscopy include:
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a test that examines only the lower portion of the colon. It does not examine the entire colon. A prep is required prior to this examination. Sedation may or may not be given with this procedure.
Barium enema is an x-ray examination of the colon after it has been distended by barium, a contrast agent, following a colon prep. This exam may not be covered by insurance for colon cancer screening purposes.
Computerized tomography (CT), a test that takes pictures of the inside of the colon. This is called CT colography or "virtual colonoscopy". Like conventional colonoscopy, this test requires a colon prep the day before the exam. This test, however, involves radiation exposure which may increase your long term risk of development of cancer.
If any of the above tests suggest the presence of polyps or cancer, a conventional colonoscopy (and a second colon prep) will be required.
Fecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT), is a test whereby stool is examined for non-visible (occult) amounts of blood. While FOBT is not a test to examine the colon, it is recommended annually to individuals over age 50. If occult blood is found in the stool, a follow up colonoscopy will be necessary.