Preventative Healthcare
Every year, at least 50,000 people die from colorectal cancers. On top of these statistics, the CDC also reported that in 2021 alone, there were 141, 902 new cases of colon cancer were reported.
The bottom line is that colon cancer is a common killer but is highly preventable if caught early with a colon cancer screening. In fact, according to John Hopkins Medicine, patients who catch cancer early and localize it, have a five-year survival rate of 90%.
There’s no excuse to avoid colonoscopies, yet many patients are wary of scheduling several appointments with a gastroenterologist just to get to that fateful procedure.
An open-access colonoscopy streamlines essential preventative healthcare by letting patients bypass an initial gastroenterologist visit and schedule a colonoscopy directly through a referring physician. This route is beneficial for residents in Dallas – Fort Worth residents because it provides convenience through direct scheduling, accessibility through easier access for essential care for patients, and the cost-effectiveness of fewer preliminary consultations.
What is Open Access Colonoscopy?
An open access colonoscopy is a healthcare model that streamlines patient access to colon cancer screening. Open access makes it faster, more cost-effective, and convenient for patients to schedule essential screenings.
There are no initial office visits. All a patient has to do is obtain a physician referral and share pre-procedural information over the phone or an online form.
Open access colonoscopies are an easy approach to early screening that is critical for early detection and the prevention of colon cancer.
There’s never a bad time understand how to get screened for colon cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer has increased by 2% annually in adults younger than 50.
This statistic alone should be enough to encourage you to schedule an open access colonoscopy. Take preventative steps today to safeguard your health and address early signs of cancer before they become life-threatening.
Eligibility for Open Access Colonoscopy
If you’re interested in scheduling an open access colonoscopy, note there are several eligibility requirements you’ll need to meet for procedure qualification.
At Digestive Health Endoscopy Centers, our eligibility requirements include the following:
- Everyone over the age of 45 is eligible for a colon cancer screening
- Patients can start screening younger if they have a family history of colon cancer or polyps
- Good general health status
- No signs or symptoms of gastrointestinal distress
- No heart or lung diseases like asthma or COPD
- Patients cannot be on blood-thinning medications
- Patients cannot have sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
Schedule Open Access Colonoscopy at Digestive Health Endoscopy Centers
Getting an open access colonoscopy through Digestive Health Centers is easy. Simply request an appointment through an office near you. Then, our office staff will review your scheduling request and confirm your eligibility.
After that, a staff member will contact you to schedule at the most conveniently located endoscopy center in North Texas, including Allen, Bedford, Dallas, Redbird Square (Dallas), North Richland Hills, and Plano.
The Digestive Health Centers will go over all of the pre-procedure preparations including dietary restrictions, medications, etc. We will also explain what to expect during the procedure, post-procedure recovery instructions.
If you are an eligible patient for an open access colonoscopy, schedule your appointment today to protect yourself against the threat of colon cancer.