NATALIE MARKS, MD
718-438-3800 SAREH RAJAEE, MD
GRAND OPENING IN BAY RIDGE
9920-4th avenue suite 303, Brooklyn NY 11209
LOCATIONS:
COURIER L M BR B G IFE, MARCH 1–7, 2019 41
f you’re age 50 or older
and haven’t had a screening
colonoscopy, it’s time
to take action for your health
and be checked for colorectal
cancer, the third most commonly
diagnosed cancer in
the United States.
According to the American
Cancer Society, the colorectal
cancer death rate has
been falling for more than two
decades, due to an increase in
the number of people who are
being screened for the disease
in its early stages when
it’s most treatable. It is especially
important to have regular
colonoscopies starting at
age 50, or earlier if you have a
family history of the disease.
Many people don’t know they
have colorectal cancer until
the disease reaches its later
stages when it may be more
difficult to treat. Early detection
offers a better chance of a
good outcome.
“Individuals can make
certain changes to their lifestyle—
exercising more, losing
weight, quitting smoking,
and eating more fruits, vegetables
and whole grains—to
reduce their risk of developing
colorectal cancer, but colonoscopy
is one of the most important
components of prevention,”
says Smruti Mohanty,
M.D., chief of gastroenterology
and hepatology at NewYork-
Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist
Hospital. “The benefit of
the procedure is that it allows
a gastroenterologist to accomplish
two things at once: finding
potentially precancerous
abnormal growths—called
polyps—and removing them
before they become malignant.”
For many people, the
colonoscopy procedure begins
with a discussion with a
gastroenterologist. He or she
will provide detailed instructions
about how to prepare for
the procedure, which must be
followed to help ensure the exam’s
effectiveness.
During a colonoscopy, most
patients receive medications
to achieve conscious sedation,
a state of drowsiness in which
they are awake and pain is
controlled. During the procedure,
the gastroenterologist
inserts a scope into the anus
and carefully maneuvers it
to the colon. Using a camera
attached to the scope, he or
she searches for polyps and
other abnormalities. If the
gastroenterologist finds polyps,
they are usually removed
and sent to a pathologist for
examination. The gastroenterologist
also takes samples
of other suspicious lesions or
tissue surrounding polyps
and sends them for biopsy. A
colonoscopy typically lasts 15
minutes to 30 minutes, with
patients able to return home
the same day—not much of
a hassle for a procedure that
could save your life.
“Colorectal cancer is one of
the most common cancers in
the United States, but colonoscopy
makes it one of the most
preventable,” says Dr. Mohanty.
“Simply put, there is
no reason to avoid having this
procedure.” Speak with a gastroenterologist
about your
risk for developing colorectal
cancer and when you should
have a colonoscopy.
To make an appointment
with a gastroenterologist New-
York-Presbyterian Brooklyn
Methodist Hospital, please call
718.499.CARE
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ENRICO ASCHER, MD
ELEANORA IADGAROVA, NP
ANIL HINGORANI, MD
Midwood:
2523 Kings Hwy, Ste 1C
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Boro Park:
960 50th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219
/718.499.CA