Why is Colonoscopy so Important in Minnesota?

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According to reports from the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the US. 1 in 17 people in Minnesota will develop colorectal cancer. Deaths from colorectal cancer rank third after lung and prostate cancer for men and third after lung and breast cancer for women.

Research shows that regular colon cancer screening saves lives. Colonoscopy is one of the most effective exams for preventing colorectal cancer or for early diagnosis. Researchers reported in The New England Journal of Medicine last year that the death rate from colorectal cancer was cut by 53 percent in those who had the colonoscopy exam and whose doctors removed precancerous growths, known as adenomatous polyps.

Removing precancerous polyps can help prevent the development of colorectal cancer since colon cancers usually develop from adenomatous polyps. Just like any cancer, the earlier it is found, the easier it is treated.

Although more people in the Minneapolis and St Paul areas have regular colonoscopy screening exams, many qualified people in Minnesota haven’t had any colonoscopy tests yet. One Stop Medical Center offers convenient and affordable colonoscopy in its Edina office. Our patient friendly formula makes bowel preparation much easier.

The Cost of Colonoscopy in Minnesota

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People in Minnesota often wonder what the cost of colonoscopy is before they schedule the procedure. With higher health insurance deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses, more patients feel a financial burden to have routine medical exams such as colonoscopy, and they are looking for the affordable options.

Traditionally, colonoscopy is performed in a hospital setting. In the past decade, more colonoscopies are performed in an ambulatory setting, which is less expensive than having the procedure done in a hospital setting. The patients usually receive two bills; one for the physician fee and one for the facility fee. The most afforable colonoscopy is usually performed in a clinic, where the physician fee is charged without the facility fee.

One Stop Medical Center provides the affordable routine colonoscopy Edina, MN. We charge the physician fee only (estimated $1100) and we also offer a 20% discount to self-pay patients. We are unable to guarantee the exact dollar amount of your individual procedure. Biopsy and/or polyp removal will increase the cost of colonoscopy.

This price includes the sedation used during colonoscopy, but it does not include the biopsy or polypectomy (polyp removal) or fees from the pathologist (physician who examines biopsied specimen).

Most health insurance plans cover over colonoscopy exams. Because coverage varies, you should check with your insurer to determine your coverage and out-of-pocket costs.

What is the Upper Age Limit for Colon cancer screening in Minnesota?

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According to colon cancer screening guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), if people older than age 75 who have been getting regular colon cancer screening since age 50 and who have had consistently normal results without polyps (adenomas) or colon cancer can stop getting routine screening, but people in the increased risk level of colon cancer may continue colon cancer screening beyond 75 years old. Other professional organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology do not specify an upper age limit for colonoscopy screening.

Interestedly, there is new research data that suggests very low chance to get colon cancer if the first colonoscopy at 50 is normal. This data indicates the importance of first colonoscopy at 50. I predict that colon cancer screening guidelines may change in the future.

One Stop Medical Center offer colonoscopy in Edina, MN with very affordable price and convenience. The exam time of colonoscopy lasts about 20-30 minutes, the patients are typically in and out in an hour.

At What Age Should We Have a Colonoscopy in Minnesota?

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After years public education from the family physicians, health insurance companies, and media exposure, more people in Minnesota know that average risk patients should have their first colonoscopy at 50 year old. Actually, the age at which we should have our first colonoscopy varies according to the level of risk for developing colon cancer. Recommended ages for a colonoscopy are based on risk levels from the national professional organizations. Our risk of colon cancer helps determine when to get a colonoscopy.

You are at average risk if you have no other risk factors besides age. Most people in Minnesota belong to this group. This group of people should have colonoscopy at age 50.

You have an increased risk if you have the immediate family members who have had colon cancer. This group of people should have a colonoscopy at age 40 or 10 years earlier than the age of that family member when diagnosed.

You are at high risk if you have a family history of certain colorectal cancer syndromes such as Familial adenomatous polyposis or if you have an inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis. The recommended age for a colonoscopy for people in this category could be very young, as young as 20s years.

The above recommended ages for a colonoscopy are the general guideline for discussions with your doctor about your particular situation. Each case is different, and there is no set of recommendations right for every individual in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas.

Easy Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in Minnesota

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Colorectal cancer is the most preventable major cancer in Minnesota. Colonoscopy is the most effective way to exam the lining of the rectum and colon and removes small polyps before they turn cancerous. It is recommended for the average risk people starting at age 50 and every 10 years after that.

Although more and more people had the colonoscopy in the past decade, many people in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas are still behind their schedule based the guideline. The bowel preparation is still the No. 1 barrier to getting a colonoscopy. If patients don’t properly do the bowel preparation, doctors will easily miss the precancerous growth in their colon. An easier prep could improve the colonoscopy screening rates and potentially save lives.

Golytely was the original bowel prep solution which contained MiraLAX (polyethlene glycol or PEG). It requires drinking a full gallon of plain-tasting liquid to induce diarrhea. The GoLytely solution also can have side effects, such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Now Gatorade emerged as part of new patient friendly formula for the bowel prep in Minnesota, as it significantly improves the solution taste. Moreover, people who drank a mixture of 64 ounces of Gatorade with MiraLAX experienced less bloating and cramping compared to those who prepped using Golytely. Gatorade helps maintain electrolyte balance.

We have used the Gatorade based formula in One Stop Medical Center over the past 5 years, our patients were able to finish it at the rate of almost 100%, and the quality of bowel preparation is much better. Please call us at 952-922-2151 if you have any questions on the colonoscopy bowel prep.

Colonoscopy Preparation in Minnesota

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In order to perform the colonoscopy properly the colon must be free of solid matter. The cleaner the better! In the past patients in Minnesota were required to drink terrible tasting flushing fluids such as Golytley. These days the colon cleansing process is much easier. Prior to the procedure the patient is required to follow a low fiber for three days and clear-liquid only diet for 24 hours. It is very important that the patient remain hydrated.

A typical colonoscopy regimen in the Minneapolis and St. Paul then would be as follows

• The day before the colonoscopy, the patient is given a laxative preparation (two bisacodyl 5 mg tablets at the noon time) and large quantities of fluid (Water, clear broth or bouillon, coffee or tea, Gatorade, Pedialyte, carbonated & non-carbonated soft drinks, Kool-Aid or other fruit-flavored drinks, strained fruit juices). Alcohol is not permitted.

• The night before colonoscopy, the patient start drinking the Mixture of 1 bottle of Miralax (8.3 oz, 238 grams) with 64 oz of Gatorade (approx. 8 oz. each 15-30 min. until finished).

• 3 hours before your procedure, drink 1 bottle of magnesium citrate (10 oz).
It may be advisable to schedule colonoscopy in the morning so the patient can have food right after the procedure. The patient must have a responsible driver to accompany him/her home. Once the bowel preparation with Miralax starts, the patient should stay at home in comfortable surroundings with ready access to toilet facilities.

The patient may be asked to skip aspirin and aspirin-like products such as salicylate, ibuprofen, and similar medications for up to ten days before colonoscopy to avoid the risk of bleeding. If a polyp is removed it is usually sent to a lab for a pathology report.

More People in Minnesota had colonoscopy exam

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More and more adults in their 50s get the colonoscopy screening exam in Minnesota because of public education given by doctors, healthcare systems, media and insurance companies. Having this type of procedure performed at this age is an important part of preventing, diagnosing and treating colon cancer. A family history of colon cancer may trigger your doctor to prescribe the test in your younger years. Colon cancer is a life threatening illness, but it is preventable. A colonoscopy will allow the doctor to see directly into the colon, so that polyps and tumors can be diagnosed and treated early.

A narrow tube with a lighted camera on the end is inserted into the colon. This is usually done under light conscious sedation, so that the patient is comfortable and can be monitored by the doctor. There is debate on the overuse of intravenous sedation in the medical community and insurance companies. More and more doctors are using lighter sedation, and sometimes even no sedation in the selective cases under the patients’ consent.

Doctors will biopsy anything they find suspicious during colonoscopy. Polyps that are detected need to be removed. The specimen is sent to the pathological lab to rule out malignant changes. Colonoscopy also detects the bowel inflammatory disease, gastrointestinal hemorrhages, and diverticulosis as well.

There are complications from a colonoscopy including perforation, bleeding, or the potential for infection, so following doctor’s orders after the procedure is always recommended. One Stop Medical Center offers the convenient colonoscopy in the Edina Office with the affordable price and quick recovery.

About Endoscopies

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An endoscopy is a procedure where a medical professional looks inside of the body using an endoscope, a tube-like instrument with a tiny camera and light. There might be a channel for surgical instruments as well. There are several kinds of endoscopies.

Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a form of endoscopy where the doctor examines the inside of the colon. This is typically done to check for signs of cancer of the bowel. If the doctor finds an abnormal growth like a polyp, they can snip it out during the endoscopy itself and perform a biopsy to see whether or not it’s malignant. This procedure is performed under conscious sedation. The patient is given drugs to relax them, but is still conscious.

Gastroscopy
This is also called an upper endoscopy, or EGD. This helps the physician see into the esophagus and down into the stomach and the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine.

The patient is also under sedation during this procedure and the back of their throat is given an anesthesia to stop the normal gag reflex. The endoscopy is put in the mouth and guided down the throat while the patient swallows. Then, it’s eased down the esophagus and into the stomach and the duodenum. The doctor can then see any abnormalities in the upper GI track. The procedure takes about twenty minutes.

Nasolaryngoscopy
This is a procedure where the endoscopy is used to check the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and the larynx. The tube is inserted into one nostril. The patient isn’t sedated for this endoscopy, but their nose is sprayed with a decongestant and something to numb it. This type of endoscopy usually takes only a few minutes.

Bronchoscopy
This procedure is used to examine the lower respiratory tract, or the lungs. Once again, the physician will look for abnormalities like bleeding, foreign bodies or tumors and can perform a biopsy at the same time as the endoscopy. The patient is also sedated during this procedure and local anesthesia is given to the upper part of the respiratory track.

The Importance of Having a Colonoscopy

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Sometime between the ages of 35 and 50, your doctor may recommend that you have a colonoscopy. Having this type of procedure performed at this age is an important part of preventing, diagnosing and treating colon cancer, which tends to strike in an older age group. Colon cancer is a life threatening illness. A colonoscopy will allow the doctor to see directly into the colon and parts of the intestine, so that polyps and tumors can be diagnosed and treated early.

A narrow tube with a lighted camera on the end is inserted into the colon. This is usually done under conscious sedation, so that the patient is comfortable and can be monitored by the doctor. Dietary restrictions need to be followed prior to the procedure so that the colon is clean and easy to see. The doctor may prescribe a laxative and will ask you to drink only clear liquids.

Polyps that are detected need to be removed, because it is very difficult for doctors to differentiate between cancerous and benign tumors. Bowel inflammatory disease and gastrointestinal hemorrhages can be detected with a colonoscopy as well. Prior to this however, doctors will biopsy anything they find suspicious. Certain symptoms will lead a doctor to recommend the test outside of normal preventative testing. A family history of colon cancer may trigger your doctor to prescribe the test. Abdominal pain and the appearance of blood in the stool can be the signs of a serious problem as well; a colonoscopy can quickly let the doctor know if further screening and treatment is needed.

There are complications from a colonoscopy including excessive bleeding or the potential for infection, so following doctor’s orders after the procedure is always recommended. By having the colonoscopy and detecting any problems early, serious or even fatal illnesses can be treated early or prevented all together.