Colonoscopy - Virtua Medical Service

Don’t Shy Away From This Important Screening

A colonoscopy is a simple colon cancer screening test that allows a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon to look at the inside of the colon (lower intestines) and rectum. The screening is used to detect:

  • Polyps, precancerous abnormal growths
  • Tumors
  • Inflammation
  • Ulcers
  • Bleeding

Even though colon cancer is so easily prevented, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The latest research from the Centers for Disease Control suggests that 21.7 million Americans age 50 to 75 have never been tested for colon and rectal cancer, and 1 in 3 adults are not up-to-date with their screenings.

Don’t let fear or embarrassment keep you from having a colonoscopy. Talk to your doctor and schedule a screening. It could save your life.

Fast Track Option
Virtua offers a fast-track scheduling option to skip the GI office appointment and go right to your colonoscopy procedure. To be eligible for a fast-track colonoscopy, you must be age 45 or older, relatively healthy, and have no unusual gastrointestinal symptoms. Ask about fast track when you schedule your procedure.

Colon Cancer Screening at Virtua

The Virtua doctors and nurses on our colonoscopy team take great care to ensure that our patients have a safe, comfortable experience.

Our team uses high-definition colonoscopy scopes (cameras) that show greater detail of the lining of the intestine, as well as emphasize suspicious growths such as polyps or precancerous lesions that are usually hard to see.

If needed, Virtua provides leading-edge procedures, including robotic surgery and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS). This minimally invasive procedure is successful in removing benign or early-stage cancerous rectal tumors as well as large polyps that can’t be removed by an endoscope.

In addition, free screenings are available for under- or un-insured residents of Burlington and Camden counties. 

 

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule a Colonoscopy

Ready for a colonoscopy with a Virtua board-certified physician? If you are healthy, with no GI symptoms, ask about the "fast-track" option to skip the office visit. Click to request an appointment, or call:

888-VIRTUA-3 888-VIRTUA-3 Chat Live

What You need to Know About Colonoscopy

Why Colonoscopy is So Important

  • Colon polyps are precancerous growths that grow slowly (over many years) and can become cancerous tumors.
  • When caught early through colonoscopy, precancerous polyps can be removed, often during the screening.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment are proven to reduce colon cancer death rates dramatically.

Who Should Have a Colonoscopy

  • Everyone age 45 and older
  • Younger people who have had a first-degree relative (mother, father, siblings) diagnosed with colorectal cancer at or before age 50. In these cases, the recommended age to start colonoscopy screenings is the age of onset for that relative minus 10 years. (i.e.  If your father developed colorectal cancer at age 45, you should have a colonoscopy at age 35.)
  • People who are considered at high-risk for colon cancer because of diseases like ulcerative colitis or another type of inflammatory bowel disease
  • People who have symptoms such as rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits with new constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain or weight loss

What to Expect with a Colonoscopy

  • Your doctor will ask you to abstain from all food and certain colored beverages for 1-2 days before your colonoscopy.
  • The day before the colonoscopy, you’ll take bowel preparation medication to empty stool from the colon. This allows the doctor to clearly see and examine the intestinal lining. This “prep” often involves a series of laxative doses that cause frequent, watery bowel movements.
  • On the day of the colonoscopy, you’ll be given intravenous (IV) sedation so you’re comfortable during the exam.
  • The doctor inserts a scope through the anus and into the rectum. The scope is a long, thin flexible tube that has a tiny camera and light that allows the doctor to view the colon lining on a video screen.
  • A typical colonoscopy takes about 30 minutes but plan to be at the hospital/surgery center for at least 2 hours for preparation, the procedure, and recovery.
  • Polyp removal and tissue biopsies often are performed at the time of the screening. These specimens are sent to pathology for examination, and patients receive results within a week.

How Often You Need a Colonoscopy

  • If your colonoscopy is clean (shows no polyps or disease) and you have NO family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, the recommendation is to repeat the screening in 10 years.
  • If your colonoscopy is clean and you HAVE a family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, the recommendation is to repeat the screening in 5 years.
  • If you have polyps, you’ll usually need another colonoscopy in 3 years.
  • If you have 10 or more polyps or polyps larger than 1 ½ centimeters, it’s recommended to repeat your colonoscopy in 1 year.

What if You're Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer

  • If discovered early, colorectal cancer often can be cured with surgery alone.
  • Colon resection surgery, which is used to remove diseased portions of the colon, is often performed using minimally invasive or robotic techniques without the need for open abdominal surgery.
  • With more advanced cancer, the treatment is much more involved and often requires radiation and/or chemotherapy.
  • Virtua's free colorectal cancer nurse navigation program service pairs you with an oncology nurse who can review your case with you and provide a personalized level of support to help you better understand your diagnosis, care plan and medications.

You may also like

HeartTalk - Eileen Giammona-th

Rectal Cancer Surgery Gets Eileen Back to Her Magical Life

Life’s been one big adventure Eileen Giammona. So when a colonoscopy revealed rectal cancer, the Virtua team made sure it wouldn’t slow her down.

Read More
3 Changes You Can Make Today to Lower Your Cancer Risk - Virtua Health, NJ

3 Changes You Can Make Today to Lower Your Cancer Risk

The American Cancer Society released new guidelines for how changes in your diet and physical activity can significantly lower your risk for cancer. Start today with these tips.

Read More
Man Barbecuing Outdoors

Your 10-Step Checklist for Men's Health

Hey guys: Taking a proactive approach to your well-being can keep you healthy and going strong for years to come. Here are some steps to get started.

Read More
What to Expect During Recovery After Colon Cancer Surgery

What to Expect During Recovery After Colon Cancer Surgery

Virtua surgeons perform colon cancer surgeries using minimally invasive and robotic techniques - making recovery quicker and less uncomfortable. Learn about the recuperation.

Read More
Digestive_Health_Real_Talk

Listen to Your Gut: Navigating through your Digestive Health

Bloating. Constipation. IBS. Frequent gurgles. Virtua gastroenterologist, Theresa DiSandro, DO, and dietitian, Christy Davidson, RDN, discuss digestive health on this Real Talk Women's Health segment.

Watch Video
Why Surgery is Necessary for Diverticulitis

Why Surgery is Necessary for Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a common digestive problem commonly due to poor diet. Learn about how it's treated in its early stages and how you can help prevent it.

Read More
Showing 6 of 32