Open Access Colonoscopy

What Is Colon Cancer Screening?
"Screening" is a term used to describe a test for the early diagnosis of common cancers. Screening tests are ordered before symptoms develop. Colon cancer is now the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the USA. The incidence is equal in both men and women. The current recommendation for colon cancer screening by the American Cancer Society is a colonoscopy at age 45. Future exams are planned based on the findings. If a screening colonoscopy is normal and there are no other confounding factors such as a strong family history of colon cancer or specific gastrointestinal symptoms, the next exam would be recommended in 7 to 10 years.

What is a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is the procedure recommended by the American Cancer Society for colon cancer screening. There are three basic parts to a colonoscopy procedure. The day before the exam you will follow a clear liquid diet; otherwise the day's activities are unrestricted. That evening you take medication that will induce diarrhea to cleanse the colon for the next day's exam. The next morning you are brought to the designated facility where an IV is started and you are sedated in a monitored setting for the procedure. The procedure is simply the passage of a flexible thin tube with a camera on the tip through the large intestine or colon for inspection and potential removal or biopsy of polyps or abnormal growths. Following the exam and a short recovery period you are discharged home with your escort and are instructed to relax the rest of the day. Typically there are no restrictions after that.

What is Open Access Colonoscopy?
In order to make this effective and important screening procedure more easily accessible to everyone we have developed this open access colonoscopy program. The program is designed to allow well patients without significant gastrointestinal symptoms to have a colonoscopy without the inconvenience of a preliminary office visit. There are many groups across the country with similar programs and we believe it to be safe and appropriate for the right patients. To qualify you must complete the medical questionnaire on the form attached. It is important that patients 65 and older have a history and physical on file with their primary care physician within 30 days of their Open Access colonoscopy. This can be easily obtained through your primary care provider. After your questionnaire is reviewed, you will be contacted and set up for either a colonoscopy or an office visit. Participation in the Open Access Colonoscopy Program is contingent upon pre-procedure insurance approval.

How do I Enroll in the Open Access Colonoscopy Program at JAG?
If you've read over the above information and feel you would be a good candidate for this program, simply download and print or complete the online medical questionnaire. You can or mail the completed downloadable form as instructed. We'll contact you upon receipt. Procedures are performed at 649 Guy Road, Clayton, NC 27520.

"We look forward to caring for you." The Doctors & Staff of JAG