Colorectal Cancer Specialist
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Jeffrey Crespin, MD
Gastroenterology & Hepatology located in Midtown West, New York, NY
Identifying the polyps in your large intestine that can sometimes become malignant is the best way to address potentially life-threatening colorectal cancer before it develops. At his three New York City offices in Manhattan, Jeffrey Crespin, MD, offers expert colorectal cancer screening that could save your life. To schedule an appointment, call one of Dr. Crespin's offices in Midtown West, Midtown East, or the Upper East Side, or book your visit online today.
Colorectal Cancer Q & A
What is colorectal cancer screening?
Colorectal cancer screening consists of one or more tests to identify the earliest signs of cancer in your colon and rectum.
Some of the tests Dr. Crespin might use as part of your colorectal cancer screening include:
- Colonoscopy
- Fecal immunochemical (FIT) test
- FIT-DNA or stool DNA test
- FIT-fecal DNA
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- CT colonography
Of these, the most accurate form of screening is a colonoscopy.
What role does colonoscopy play in colorectal cancer screening?
Colonoscopy is a procedure that allows Dr. Crespin to look at your rectum and colon in detail. A colonoscope is a flexible tube that can travel all the way along your colon to the bottom of your small intestine. It has a camera on the end that sends images of your colon back to a screen in the treatment room for Dr. Crespin to examine.
This view of your colon and rectum enables Dr. Crespin to spot any polyps that might be growing. Although mostly harmless, polyps can occasionally turn cancerous. Using colonoscopy, Dr. Crespin can remove any polyps present before they get a chance to mutate into tumors.
Other screening tests are less invasive, but a positive result from one of these still requires a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and remove any polyps.
How often do I need to undergo colorectal cancer screening?
From the age of 50, everyone should have a colonoscopy at 10-year intervals. Or you could have a FIT (fecal immunochemical) test each year with a follow-up colonoscopy if your FIT result is positive.
Alternatively, you could have a CT colonography every five years, a FIT–fecal DNA test every three years, or a flexible sigmoidoscopy at least every 10 years. These options are mainly for patients who can't or would prefer not to undergo a colonoscopy.
If you have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, you might need to begin colorectal cancer screening before reaching 50. Risk factors include a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps and having ulcerative colitis.
Why should I consider colorectal cancer screening?
If you have colorectal cancer, you're unlikely to experience any symptoms until the disease reaches quite an advanced stage, when treatment is more complex and less successful.
Having regular screening tests is a highly effective way of treating colorectal cancer in its earliest stages. By removing polyps, you can even prevent cancer from developing. Experts estimate that colorectal cancer screening can save at least 30,000 lives in the United States each year.
Find out when you should undergo colorectal cancer screening by calling Jeffrey Crespin, MD, today or book an appointment online.