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Open Access Colonoscopy

Open Access Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a life-saving procedure that can reduce your risk of colon cancer. By offering an easier scheduling option called Open Access Colonoscopy, we hope to help expand the number of individuals getting screened for colon cancer in the Vero Beach, FL area. Increasing participation rates in screening for this cancer will save lives!

Colonoscopy procedures are conveniently performed in a non-hospital setting. This provides our patients with a less intimidating environment than a large healthcare facility. Simply, the patients in our office are generally healthier than patients needing a procedure at a hospital, thus decreasing your chances of contracting illnesses.

An Open Access Colonoscopy allows healthy, age-appropriate patients to receive a screening colonoscopy without an initial office visit.

This scheduling option simplifies the process of getting a colonoscopy by:

  • Saving you time away from work or home
  • Saving you the expense of an office co-pay

Qualifications for Open Access Colonoscopy

An Open Access Colonoscopy is an option for patients who are at average risk for colon cancer. You may be eligible for an Open Access Colonoscopy if you meet the following qualifications:

  • Age 45 to 74
  • No personal history of heart or breathing conditions
  • No recent history of digestive symptoms

These qualifications may exclude many patients from taking advantage of this service. If you don’t qualify for an Open Access Colonoscopy, you will need to schedule a regular office visit before your procedure. During this visit, we will:

  • Discuss your personal and family medical history
  • Evaluate your digestive symptoms
  • Address your questions or concerns
  • Review colonoscopy prep instructions
  • Discuss the colonoscopy procedure

OPEN ACCESS COLONOSCOPY

No office visit required. Save time & co-pay expense!

COLONOSCOPY

#1 Colon Cancer Screening Exam

Only screening exam that allows doctor to both DETECT & REMOVE polyps

2nd most common cause of
cancer- related deaths

106,250 will diagnosed with colon
cancer in 2022

52,580 deaths estimated in 2022
due to colon cancer

When diagnosed at a localized
stage, the survival rate is 90%

Colon Cancer Specialist - Get Screened!

Detecting colon cancer in its’ early stages is our best method of beating cancer. Live Oak Endoscopy Center has performed thousands of successful colon cancer screenings. When selecting your colonoscopy doctor in Vero Beach and surrounding areas, we encourage you to ask about us. Send message...

Screening Colonoscopy Cost

A screening colonoscopy is usually covered by insurance 100%. But you should always check with your insurance provider before your appointment.

Self-paying patients should call our office, and we will go over the colonoscopy fees: facility, doctor, anesthesia, and lab biopsy evaluation (if needed).

Preparing for Open Access Colonoscopy

After scheduling your Open Access Colonoscopy, new patients will be asked to fill out a form, and then our office will send you the instructions for your colonoscopy prep.

Colonoscopy preparation cleans out your bowels to allow for the examination of the colon. If you fail to follow your prep instructions, you will need to reschedule your appointment.

Your colonoscopy preparation involves:

  • Eating a low-fiber diet 3 days before your procedure
  • Following a clear liquid diet the day before your procedure
  • Taking the prescribed laxatives the day before your procedure

Because the goal of an Open Access Colonoscopy is to save time, your first meeting with Dr. Sameer Islam will occur briefly before your procedure. If you have any questions or concerns before the exam, our office is happy to address them. After the colonoscopy, Dr. Saneer Islam will go over your results with you.

The Gold Standard for Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer almost always develops from colon polyps. Colon polyps are growths that form in the inner lining of the colon. These polyps often grow slowly over 10 to 20 years before becoming cancerous.

A colonoscopy is the only colon cancer screening test that can both find and remove precancerous colon polyps in the same exam, making it the gold standard for colon cancer screening.

Other screening tests can only detect the presence of cancer. But the accuracy of these tests vary. If you receive a positive screening test other than a colonoscopy, you will need to undergo a colonoscopy to evaluate your test results.

A colonoscopy is the most accurate colon cancer screening test and allows for the visualization of the entire colon. A colonoscopy can reduce the rate of colon cancer by 40% and death from colon cancer by 60%.

Completing a colonoscopy can save you the inconvenience of undergoing another screening test. It can also save you money by avoiding the cost of extra co-pays or deductibles. Most importantly, a colonoscopy can save your life.

Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines

Everyone age 45 and older should receive colon cancer screening. The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals at average risk of colon cancer begin screening at age 45.

You are at average risk of colon cancer if you don’t have risk factors such as:

  • Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
  • Personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps
  • Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
  • Family history of hereditary colon cancer syndrome (familial adenomatous polyposis, Lynch syndrome)
  • Personal history of radiation to the abdomen or pelvis

If you have any of the above risk factors, you’re at an increased risk for colon cancer. This means you may need to start screening before age 45.

Colon cancer screening can save your life. Don’t wait to begin screening until it’s too late. You can schedule a colonoscopy by making an appointment online or calling our office at 1-772-299-5005.

Colon Cancer Statistics

Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. There were an estimated 147,950 new cases of colorectal cancer in 2020. And an estimated 53,200 deaths from this disease.

Colon cancer has a higher incidence in:

  • Individuals 45 years and older
  • African Americans

But this disease is also prevalent in both genders and all races. Most people receive a diagnosis of colon cancer between the ages of 65 and 74. Shockingly, this age group also has the most deaths from colon cancer.

This highlights the importance of early colon cancer screening. Your chances of survival improve by catching the disease early. Colon cancer is curable 90% of the time when localized to the colon.