Colonoscopy

Every year thousands of cases of colorectal cancer go undiagnosed in the United States, resulting in premature deaths. The good news is that with proper screening colorectal cancer can be detected early when it’s easier to treat and highly curable. Screening can also lead to elimination of pre-cancerous polyps that could become cancerous if left to grow.

The American Cancer Society recommends that people age 50 or over be screened for colon cancer. One important screening test is a colonoscopy; a 15 to 30 minute test allows a doctor to look inside the entire large intestine and into the rectum through a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny lens on the end. The procedure enables the physician to see things such as abnormal growths and inflamed tissue. While the test is most often used to look for early signs of colorectal cancer it is also used to look for causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits and to evaluate symptoms like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and weight loss.

At Pacific Medical Centers, patients can call 206-505-1300 and schedule an appointment with one of our gastroenterologists to discuss colonoscopy and other methods of screening for colon cancer.

Our physicians meet with patients at three of our conveniently located clinics – in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle, and also in Totem Lake/Kirkland and Renton. Procedures are performed at the Pacific Medical Center Endoscopic Ambulatory Surgical Center located at our offices on First Hill in Seattle.

*Always check with your insurance provider to find out if you need pre-authorization or to determine the level of coverage your carrier provides for colonoscopy.

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Physicians

Find out more about our Colonoscopy specialists, including their practice philosophies and special interests:

• Bai, Diane MD
• Krishnamurthy, Shoba MD
• Procaccini, Nicholas MD