Colonoscopy

Colon Cancer Home Tests vs Colonoscopy

For most colon cancer screening has always been synonymous with a colonoscopy procedure. Other screening test options have been available for years, but not until recently have the colon cancer home tests received so much attention due to increased consumer advertising.

As a result of the ads, several patients have been asking if colon cancer home tests are a viable option to screening option. These questions prompted my interest in writing this article to better educate on the pros and cons of various screening options.

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By |2023-02-22T13:10:37-06:00May 24th, 2018|colon cancer, Colonoscopy|Comments Off on Colon Cancer Home Tests vs Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy FAQs

With March being Colon Cancer Awareness month, I wanted to help spread the awareness message in San Antonio, TX that following the recommended screening guidelines is the key to beating this cancer. This year I thought I would do something different by sharing a few Colonoscopy FAQs to help dispel some of the misconceptions and educate on why it is best way to screen for colon cancer.

If you know someone 50 years or older, make sure they know about the importance of colon cancer screening. Thank you in advance for helping to promote this awareness message in San Antonio and let me know if you have any questions related

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By |2018-03-27T17:13:52-05:00March 8th, 2018|colon cancer, Colonoscopy|Comments Off on Colonoscopy FAQs

7 Reasons to see a Gastroenterologist

Are you considering seeing a gastroenterologist in San Antonio, TX? In most cases, my recommendation to those experiencing things like stomach pain or other digestive symptoms is to see your primary doctor first and they can decide if the cause is less severe than anticipated or needs the attention of a GI specialist. However, if you don’t have a primary care physician or if you’re experiencing chronic ongoing GI issues, you should ask to be referred to a gastroenterologist or contact one directly that participates in your insurance network.   

I often have conversations with first time patients where they let me know that they were unsure of what type of doctor to see for their symptoms, so

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By |2019-02-07T11:47:27-06:00August 7th, 2017|Bloating, Bowel Movements, colon cancer, Colonoscopy, hemorrhoids, IBD|Comments Off on 7 Reasons to see a Gastroenterologist

2017 Colon Cancer Awareness

“I’m an avid sports fan.  I am proud of what the sports community has done to help raise awareness for breast cancer.  If you watch sports enough you will frequently see the “pink” awareness color of breast cancer in the stands, on uniforms, on athletic equipment and on signs and banners.  We need this constant reminder because breast cancer is preventable, yet still takes way too many lives.  Colon cancer awareness color is “dark blue”.  This color, and reminder, I don’t see nearly enough.  Colon cancer, also preventable, is the second leading cause of cancer death in our country.  It’s my job as a gastroenterologist to

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By |2020-09-17T14:01:36-05:00March 1st, 2017|colon cancer, Colonoscopy|Comments Off on 2017 Colon Cancer Awareness

Do I need a Colon Cleanse?

I regularly have patients ask me if they should periodically be doing a colon cleanse to benefit their overall digestive health.  Since various “cleanses” are getting more popular, I thought it would be helpful to share the opinion of a gastroenterologist on this topic. My hope with this article is to provide some useful information, so that those considering a colon cleanse can make a more educated decision as to whether this is an actual health benefit or more of a fad.

What is the Function of the Colon?

To maintain good digestive health, your body must effectively eliminate food and bodily waste!  What we eat and drink travels from our stomach

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By |2016-08-14T12:26:31-05:00August 14th, 2016|Bloating, Bowel Movements, Colonoscopy|Comments Off on Do I need a Colon Cleanse?

2016 Colon Cancer Awareness

With March being colon cancer awareness month, I wanted to share some important information regarding prevention along with some specific awareness events that are occurring in the San Antonio area in 2016 to help promote colon cancer awareness for our community.

Colon Cancer Facts

  • It is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death.
  • The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer is about one in 19.
  • While most people diagnosed with colon cancer have no family history of the disease, those with a family history of the disease should begin screening at an earlier age.
  • With early screening and testing, colon cancer is Preventable, Treatable & Beatable!

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By |2018-01-31T01:21:54-06:00March 1st, 2016|colon cancer, Colonoscopy|Comments Off on 2016 Colon Cancer Awareness

Stool Tests and GI Health

I wanted to do a follow up on my recent blog post on “What Your Poop Says About You” by elaborating on some of the types of stool tests we as gastroenterologists in San Antonio TX may conduct on your stool.  We base these stool tests on the symptoms a patient presents with, their medical history and a description of the changes in their stool.  A stool analysis is a series of different stool tests done on your poop to diagnose certain conditions potentially affecting the digestive tract.

Why do I need Stool Tests in San Antonio TX

I realize that the idea of collecting

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By |2018-01-31T01:21:54-06:00May 6th, 2015|Bowel Movements, colon cancer, Colonoscopy|Comments Off on Stool Tests and GI Health

Colon Cancer Awareness Month 2015

With March quickly approaching, I wanted to provide a reminder that this is colon cancer awareness month.  The American Cancer Society estimates that 50,000 people in the United States alone will loose their life to colon cancer in 2015.  With that in mind, it’s important for us to promote that this cancer is very treatable to family, friends and co-workers in San Antonio TX.
The key is to get screened at the recommended age.  Here are a few key points to keep in mind regarding Colon Cancer and links to valuable resources:

By |2018-01-31T01:21:55-06:00February 28th, 2015|colon cancer, Colonoscopy|Comments Off on Colon Cancer Awareness Month 2015

Colon Cancer – Why is it increasing in those under 50 in San Antonio TX?

One of the questions I frequently get from my younger patients here in San Antonio, Texas, is regarding the right age at which to first get screened for colorectal cancer.  I am a big advocate of prevention and I promote colon cancer screening with colonoscopy.  I had my first colonoscopy at age 40.  However, this awareness message typically references the recommended colon cancer screening ages established by the American College of Gastroenterology.  Following those guidelines you would typically start screening at age 50 unless other factors prevailed, such as family history.

The good news is we, as gastroenterologists, have done a great job with colorectal cancer in patients over the

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By |2018-01-31T01:21:55-06:00December 8th, 2014|colon cancer, Colonoscopy|Comments Off on Colon Cancer – Why is it increasing in those under 50 in San Antonio TX?

Colon Cancer Screening- Choosing The Right Test

There is a lot of information out there about colon cancer screening. Some of it is good information and some of it is not. One of my jobs as a physician is to help my patients decide which is which, and help guide them in their preventative health care choices. Colon cancer screening is something I take very serious. I have had colon cancer screening myself and I’ve made sure all my loved ones who are of the appropriate age have had a screening as well. There are different methods available out there for all types of health screening. I get questions all the time about the right way to screen for colon cancer. So how do we choose the

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By |2018-01-31T01:21:55-06:00July 7th, 2014|colon cancer, Colonoscopy|Comments Off on Colon Cancer Screening- Choosing The Right Test
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