Regular colonoscopies are a crucial step to prevent the development of colorectal cancer and protect your digestive health. At his practice in Boca Raton, Florida, board-certified gastroenterologist Dr. Prosper Abitbol provides colonoscopies to screen for colorectal cancer and to diagnose the cause of symptoms such as bleeding, diarrhea, and constipation. To schedule a colonoscopy, call or use the online booking tool today.

Colonoscopy Q & A

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a screening and diagnostic procedure in which your doctor examines your colon using a colonoscope: a long, flexible tube with a high-definition camera at the end. The most common purpose of a colonoscopy is to regularly screen for colorectal cancer, but Dr. Abitbol may recommend the procedure to diagnose the causes of symptoms such as:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Chronic constipation
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Unexplained weight loss

Dr. Abitbol determines if a diagnostic colonoscopy is the next step depending on your symptoms.

A colonoscopy is a highly effective screening tool for colon cancer. How often you should receive one depends on your personal risk factors.

If you have an average risk of colon cancer, you should get a colonoscopy screening every 10 years starting at age 50. Polyps, or growths that are sometimes precancerous, take about 10 years to develop into cancer, so that schedule is safe for most people. Dr. Abitbol may recommend you undergo colonoscopies starting at a younger age and more often if you have:

  • A personal history of colon cancer or polyps
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease
  • A family history of colon cancer or polyps

A colonoscopy can both detect colon cancer early and prevent it from developing. If Dr. Abitbol discovers any polyps, he removes them during the procedure and performs a biopsy to determine if they’re precancerous, which is impossible to tell while the polyps are inside the body.

When you get a colonoscopy, you’ll need to fully empty out your bowels beforehand so Dr. Abitbol can get a clear view of the inside of your colon. He’ll help you with this process, which includes laxatives and a clear liquid diet the day before your colonoscopy, and possibly limiting or avoiding high-fiber foods in the days leading up to it.

You’ll be sedated during your colonoscopy, which lasts 30 minutes to an hour, so another important part of preparing is making sure you have a ride home afterward. You’ll be able to return to work and your usual activities the next day, but you shouldn’t make any important decisions the rest of the day following your procedure.

To schedule a colonoscopy with Dr. Prosper Abitbol, call or click today.

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