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Determining Your Risk of
Intestinal Cancer
Any of the
following factors can greatly increase your risk of intestinal
cancer.
- Presence
of polyps
- A high fat
and/or meat diet
- A family
history of the disease
- Ulcerative
colitis
- Over 50
years of age
Benefit
from Early Diagnosis
Early
diagnosis is one of the most effective weapons you have in the
battle against intestinal
 cancer,
the second most common form of lethal carcinomas. Sarasota Memorial’s dual source Definition
CT is designed to detect the disease at its earliest stages.
If polyps are identified in
time and removed while in a benign state, you have a better chance
of preventing the development of the disease.
While a
colonoscopy is still considered the “gold standard” for
visualizing polyps, it can be an uncomfortable, even painful
experience. By comparison, the dual source Definition CT exam is
a non-invasive and painless procedure for visualizing clinically
significant polyps.
What to
Expect During Your CT Exam
So that the
intestine is as empty as possible, you will need to prepare for
the exam. During the scan you’ll lie on a comfortable couch as it
passes through an opening in
the examination unit. It should take no more than half a minute
and is performed using a special technique that significantly
reduces the radiation dose.
If the result
is negative, your doctor may not advise any additional follow-up.
If positive, the polyps – depending on their size – may have to be
removed. Smaller polyps are usually monitored and removed only in
the event that they continue to grow.
Talk to
Your Doctor
Even if you’re
not at risk for intestinal cancer, regular examinations are
recommended so you should contact your family doctor. He’ll
provide you with a recommendation based on your medical history
and answer any questions you may have about CT.
Tests are
available at Sarasota Memorial’s Institute for Advanced
Medicine: 941-917-5111. The Institute is located at 5880 Rand
Boulevard, Sarasota, Fl. 34238. |
