Colonoscopy in OC
Hoag Serves as a Trusted Leader in Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
At Hoag, our multidisciplinary colorectal cancer care team diagnoses and treats more patients than any other center in Orange County with excellent patient outcomes that exceed national figures.
Colonoscopy is the best tool available for screening and early detection of colorectal cancer, while also removing precancerous polyps which helps prevent the onset of cancer in the future.
- A colonoscopy is the preferred procedure for colon cancer screening.
- With minimal anesthesia, a colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure and usually takes less than 30 minutes to perform.
- Colonoscopy provides physicians with important information to help accurately diagnose, or clear, conditions.
Take Action Today
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Schedule Your Colonoscopy
Start with a referral from your gastroenterologist (GI) or PCP. Don't have one? Find a GI physician affiliated with Hoag's Digestive Health Institute.
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Concerning Results After Your Colonoscopy?
Connect with us to find a Hoag GI subspecialist for further evaluation or a second opinion.
Connect With Hoag
Hoag Digestive Health Institute offers expert care teams, advanced technologies and state-of-the-art equipment including an artificial intelligence enhancement to patients receiving a colonoscopy using the GI GeniusTM intelligent endoscopy module.
Know the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer
Symptoms may include:
- A change in bowel habits
- A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that’s not relieved by having one
- Rectal bleeding with bright red blood
- Blood in the stool, which might make the stool look dark brown or black
- Cramping or abdominal pain
- Weakness and fatigue
Guidelines For People at Average Risk
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. This can be done either with a sensitive test that looks for signs of cancer in a person’s stool (a stool-based test), or with an exam that looks at the colon and rectum (a visual exam).
Recommendations By Age Group:
- People who are in good health and with a life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue regular colorectal cancer screening through the age of 75.
- For people ages 76 through 85, the decision to be screened should be based on a person’s preferences, life expectancy, overall health, and prior screening history.
- People over 85 should no longer get colorectal cancer screening.
Who Is Considered at Average Risk?
For screening, people are considered to be at average risk if they do not have:
- A personal history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps
- A family history of colorectal cancer
- A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
- A confirmed or suspected hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC)
- A personal history of getting radiation to the abdomen (belly) or pelvic area to treat a prior cancer
About Hoag’s Colorectal Cancer Program
At Hoag Family Cancer Institute, our multidisciplinary colorectal cancer care team diagnoses and treats more patients than any other center in Orange County with excellent patient outcomes that exceed national figures. Our gastroenterology and oncology experts collaborate to provide the highest level of care and expertise that is unsurpassed in Orange County.