Colonoscopy - Colon Cancer Screening Plano TX | Dr. Malik

WHO SHOULD HAVE A COLONOSCOPY?

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the U.S. Unfortunately, colorectal cancer might strike without any signs or symptoms, which is why screening is important. Approximately 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in the United States and 50,000 people die from the disease each year.

The most common reasons for colonoscopy are:

1. As a screening exam for colon cancer in persons age 45.
2. As a screening exam for anyone with a family history of colon cancer or polyps
3. A change in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation or change in stool caliber)
4. Chronic abdominal pain
5. Chronic Diarrhea
6. Rectal bleeding
7. Anemia (low blood count)
8. Unexplained weight loss
9. As a follow-up exam in people with colon polyps or colon cancer

Can I Schedule Colonoscopy without an Office Visit?

YES. Dr. Malik offers Open Access Colonoscopy, which is a colonoscopy procedure that does not require the patient to have an office visit with their Plano, TX gastroenterologist prior to their procedure. The exchange of all needed information is done over the phone. This saves the patient both time and the expense of an office visit. My goal is to make this procedure as accessible and affordable as possible to qualifying patients in order to encourage a higher participation rate

• Click to learn more about Open Access Colonoscopy

HOW MUCH DOES A COLONOSCOPY COST?

Like many other medical procedures, the cost of a Colonoscopy in Plano, TX is determined based upon your insurance and the type of colonoscopy (screening or diagnostic):

• A screening colonoscopy is for those over the age of 45 with no symptoms (either past or present) and without a personal or family history of gastrointestinal disease, colon polyps, or cancer. Insurance will typically cover the cost of a screening exam once every 10 years beginning at age 45.
• A colonoscopy is classified as diagnostic if the patient has past or present history of gastrointestinal symptoms or disease, polyps, or cancer. Diagnostic cancer screenings are typically not covered by insurance.
• TIP: When calling to schedule a colonoscopy, remember that if you indicate the screening is needed due to symptoms… it will be coded as diagnostic.

Unfortunately, due to the numerous insurance plans and variances within those plans we cannot display a pricing table. We’re very proud that our surgery center has the lowest facility fees in the DFW area! Offering expert health care while maintaining competitive pricing for our patients is important to us.

Update: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced in May 2015 that anesthesia will be covered by insurance for your first colonoscopy as part of preventative colon cancer screening if deemed necessary by your doctor. This is significant since it means that this will not be an additional expense to the patient.

INDICATORS TO MEASURE QUALITY IN COLONOSCOPY

Several studies have been done to help patient’s determine which measures of quality provide the best assessment of a physician’s skills and thoroughness during a colonoscopy. According to the ASGE, the two best indicators that meet these criterions are: adenoma detection rate and the cecal withdrawal time .

Adenoma detection rate is the amount of polyps your gastroenterologist finds on average.  Adenomas, precancerous lesions arising throughout the colon, are the target of screening colonoscopies.  Removing adenomatous polyps decreases the incidence of colorectal cancer, a leading causes of morbidity and mortality.  Current guidelines suggest screening colonoscopy adenoma detection rates of 15% for women and 25% for men . The accepted minimum standard for withdrawal time in the U.S. is 6 minutes .  This is not the length of the entire exam but is the amount of time the gastroenterologist spends pulling the scope back out of the colon and looking around for colon polyps.

Dr. Malik's average adenoma detection rate and withdrawl times are:

• Adenoma Detection Rate: Females (37%) and Males (39%)
• Withdrawl Time:                    10.2 minutes

How Is A Colonoscopy Performed?

A colonoscope is a thin, flexible, lighted tube and it has its own lens and light source that allows your gastroenterologist to view images on a video monitor. During the colonoscopy, Dr. Malik will pass a colonoscope into the anus and slowly guide it through the rectum and colon so that the doctor can carefully examine the inside lining of the large intestine.  It’s important to note that patients are sedated during the procedure and will not have pain.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE COLONOSCOPY PROCEDURE

To prepare for your colonoscopy, Dr. Malik and his staff will inform you of what dietary restrictions are needed and what cleansing routine will be used. In general, the preparation consists of limiting your diet to clear liquids the day before and consuming special oral laxatives. Your colon lining must be completely clean before the procedure, so that results are accurate and comprehensive.

Be sure to follow your gastroenterologist’s instructions carefully.  Also, it is important to read all instructions provided to you thoroughly in order to obtain the best results. Most prescription and nonprescription medicines are allowed up to the day of the colonoscopy. Our office will review your medication list and tell you what medicines you may and may not continue to take. If you have questions please call our office at (972) 867-0019.

Click this link to view the PDF forms of the different colonoscopy prep instructions .

Colonoscopy Prep Tips Provided by Dr. Malik

WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER A COLONOSCOPY?

• Your procedure will be performed at Preston Crossing Endoscopy Center in Plano TX. Driving directions to the endoscopy center can be found here .
• You will be asked to come in 1 hour before your procedure so you can fill out any necessary papers, change into a gown and get an IV started and meet with the nursing and anesthesia staff.
• The procedure takes about 30 minutes during which time you will be completely asleep
• The procedure is painless
• Dr. Malik’s team of trained nurses and technicians in Plano, TX ensure the patients’ privacy is of upmost importance throughout the procedure. Most of your body is completely covered during the procedure and the staff is focused on the screen helping the gastroenterologist look for polyps.
• Following the procedure and during recovery from sedation, patients generally feel well but they may feel drowsy and their reflexes can be affected. For this reason, patients are not permitted to drive home after the procedure and will need someone to drive them
• Patients will generally leave the facility approximately 30 minutes after their procedure and can eat after the procedure has been completed. We generally recommend that patients eat a bland and non-greasy meal as they recover from sedation
• Patients should not plan to go back to work, drive, operate machinery, or sign any important documents for the remainder of the day.

COLONOSCOPY - ARE THERE RISKS?

Colonoscopy is a safe procedure and complications are very rare, but can occur. Our office and the endoscopy clinic will review these on the day of the procedure.

Disclaimer: The information presented on this website is not intended to take the place of your personal physician’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Discuss this information with your healthcare provider to determine what is right for you.  All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical condition