Does colon cancer run in your family? If so, you could be eligible for a free or low-cost screening colonoscopy before the age of 50.

Adults who are at average risk for colon cancer should get a baseline colonoscopy at 50 years of age, but if you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps, you should be screened earlier.  A family history of colon cancer is defined as having a first degree relative (mother, father, sister or brother) with colon cancer, precancerous polyps or cancerous polyps.

How do I find out if I am eligible for a free or low-cost screening colonoscopy?

If you meet these criteria, there are specific steps that you should take so that you can be eligible for a free or low-cost screening colonoscopy before the age of 50.

1. Find out what age your first-degree relative was diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps.
2. Talk to your primary care physician and say, “My __________ (mother, father, sister or brother) was diagnosed with colon cancer/polyps at the age of ___.  I need to have ‘family history of colon cancer and/or polyps’ added into my medical records.” The records should include the family member(s) and the age(s).
3. Call your insurance provider and convey the same information. Ask the representative to notate this information in your records.
4. Ask your insurance provider if you have colonoscopy screening benefits in your policy. This benefit may vary among policies even within the same provider. Not all private insurance has colonoscopy screening benefits, and it is up to you to find out before you schedule your colonoscopy.
5. Ask your insurance provider, “At what age am I eligible for screening benefits?” Some policies may allow you a screening colonoscopy at the same age as your first-degree relative was diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps, and some policies may allow you to have a screening performed earlier.
6. Ask your insurance provider, “How much it will cost if the gastroenterologist finds a polyp in during my colonoscopy?” Polyp removal and biopsy often do not fall under “screening” so they may be filed under “medical.”  This would affect your financial responsibility, althought pathology (tests on the polyp(s) removed) is usually not exceptaionally expensive and is a small price to pay for preventing cancer!  Also important, ask whether the colonoscopy would change from a screening colonoscopy to a diagnostic colonoscopy if a polyp is discovered and how that may affect your payment.

When your doctor and insurance provider are aware of your family history and you are aware of your benefits, you can now safely schedule your colonoscopy.

How much will my colonoscopy cost me?

When there is a family history of colon cancer or polyps, some insurance providers pay 100 percent of colonoscopy screenings. Others may pay 80 percent or 90 percent, so be aware of your portion of the cost-share. Remember that all coverage and cost-sharing questions are policy-specific and only your health care provider can answer these questions for you. As tempting as it is to ask a friend, “How much was your colonoscopy?” remember that your benefits are specific to your plan.

Having a family history of colon cancer may be enough to qualify you for a free or low-cost colonoscopy under your health plan. It is essential that you initiate the process by asking the right questions and having proper documentation in your medical records and health plan records. Talk to your doctor and insurance provider so you can have a colonoscopy screening when the time is right for you. Most colon cancer is very treatable when found in the early stages, and early screening means prevention, early detection and early treatment!

You have most likely heard of colon polyps. Polyps are the precursor of colon cancer. Did you know that there are different types of polyps? Polyps can be knobby or flat, and some polyps tend to be benign while some polyps are at higher risk for cancer. Let’s go over the basic categories of polyps:

Hyperplastic polyps

> These polyps are small and circular, measuring less than ¼ -inch wide. Usually, hyperplastic polyps are benign. However, if hyperplastic polyps are discovered on the right side of the colon, they should be completely removed because they carry risk for cancer.

Adenomas

> Adenomas tend to be circular in shape as well. They account for about 75 percent of all colon polyps, so they are certainly the most common. These polyps are considered precancerous and should be removed. If adenomas are left to grow, they can turn into cancer. There are three types of adeonomas:

• Villous—tend to be the largest and are most likely to become cancerous
• Tubular—tend to be the least likely to become cancerous
• Tubulovillous—considered to have a higher risk of malignant transformation than tubular adenoma

Flat Polyps

> Many polyps are easy to detect because they appear like a mushroom. Some polyps are flat, and these can be easily missed during a colonoscopy. Sometimes called lesions, flat polyps can be just as deadly as circular polyps. More studies are revealing the dangers of flat polyps, and gastroenterologists are taking special measures to look for flat polyps during colonoscopies. Flat polyps can be removed just like other types of polyps, but viewing them can be difficult because they appear level or like a small indentation.

Rely on the Expertise of Your Doctor

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While round or circular polyps are much more common, a significant percentage of cancers are found in flat, depressed growths. In fact, researchers found that flat growths are nearly 10 times more likely to be cancerous than polyps. Because flat polyps can be so dangerous, it is important to have a thorough colonoscopy. A skilled gastroenterologist can identify and remove suspicious polyps during the procedure, and a trained pathologist can review specimens to examine for cancerous cells. Now that doctors know more about flat polyps, they know what to look for during the exam (Source: NBC News).

The patient has a responsibility as well. Your preparation for the procedure will make it easier or more difficult for the gastroenterologist to see. A complete colon cleanse is essential for maximum viewing, especially for flat polyps. If you have questions about how to effectively prepare for your colonoscopy, talk to your doctor or read “Your Guide to an Easy Prep.”

Most colon polyps are noncancerous tissue that can sometimes develop into colon cancer. Colon cancer usually begins as a polyp, or a growth on the inner surface of the colon. Polyps are made of clumps of cells that grow slowly over time. If left to grow, larger polyps can bleed or even block the colon. In the most severe cases, polyps can lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and constipation.

Do polyps always mean colon cancer? Not at all. Having colon polyps increases the likelihood to have more polyps in the future, but it does not necessarily mean that you have colon cancer. Having polyps will make you a candidate for more routine colonoscopies. A colonoscopy is the most effective type of screening method for colon cancer. Your doctor can examine the entire colon for precancerous polyps and remove any suspicious polyps during the procedure. For larger polyps, a biopsy can be taken during the colonoscopy to test for cancerous cells.

Regular colon screenings are important because polyps can move progressively from noncancerous to cancerous. There are two main types of polyps in the colon and rectum:

Hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps
These polyps are not at high risk for becoming cancerous, except for large hyperplastic polyps on the right side of the colon. These polyps are more concerning and should be removed entirely.

Adenomas and adenomatous polyps
These are considered pre-cancerous and should be removed. Often, if left alone, these polyps can turn into cancer. One specific type of condition is called familial adenomatous polyposis is an inherited disorder in which patients develop multiple noncancerous polyps in their teenage years, and polyps progressively become malignant.

Colon cancer and cancerous polyps often have no symptoms, so the most important thing to remember is to talk to your doctor about how often you should be screened. Regular screening significantly lowers your risk for colon cancer, and the disease is highly treatable when found in the early stages. Not all polyps are cancerous, but don’t take a chance. Schedule your colonoscopy today by contacting one of our treatment centers.

Colon cancer is one of the most common and most treatable cancers. In 2013, it is expected that colon cancer will claim the lives of over 50,000 Americans. Since the risk of developing colon cancer is 1 in 20, it is in your best interest to learn more about prevention and early detection for colon cancer. If you are over 50, you should ask your primary care physician about getting an initial screening. Individuals who are African American or who have a family history of colon cancer or exhibit other risk factors should seek early screening.

There are many different screening methods, but the colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon cancer screening. A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a gastroenterologist inserts a lighted probe into the rectum to look for lesions, polyps and abnormalities in the lining of the colon. One of the best advantages of a colonoscopy is that cancerous polyps can be removed during the procedure if they are discovered. If your colonoscopy is clear, you will not have to have another procedure for 10 years.

Still, as good as this sounds, there are people who will opt out of testing. Many are scared off by the anticipation of pain during the colonoscopy. Most people choose to be sedated, either conscious sedation or total sedation so you will not feed pain during the procedure. Other people dread the prep for colonoscopy and having to stay close to a bathroom all day. There is really no other way to make it more bearable or pleasant, but take heart that if you the preparation correctly the first time, you won’t have to do it again for another decade. Give your cleansing day your best effort because a thorough cleanse will allow your doctor to see even the flattest lesions on your intestine.

There are other methods of colon cancer screening besides the colonoscopy. A flexible sigmoidoscopy involves a flexible tube being inserted into the rectum, but not as far into the colon as a colonoscopy. This test has to be done every five years instead of every ten years. Another test is the double-contrast barium enema, which also has to be done every five years. A virtual colonoscopy has gotten a lot of attention these days, but recently Medicaid Services has refused to pay for the test. As with other testing, when insurance will not pay for the procedure many people will not choose to be tested.

A colonoscopy is the best screening method because it is the most comprehensive exam and allows for polyp removal during the procedure. It is estimated that between 60 to 90 percent of colon cancer deaths could be prevented if everyone over 50 chose to have a colonoscopy. That is 30,000 to 45,000 lives that could be saved! If you have never had a colonoscopy before, take a few moments to view some FAQs and find a treatment center near you.