Colon Cancer North Carolina

People should know the early signs of colon cancer for North Carolina residents, recognize the importance of screenings, and know where to turn for screenings and colon cancer treatment. Talk to the team at Carolina Digestive Health Associates for help. Any type of cancer diagnosis can be a life-altering experience, and the earlier a patient detects cancer, the higher his or her chances usually are of successfully completing treatment and surviving the condition. While most cancers receive quite a bit of attention, one of the most often overlooked types is colon cancer.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates employs 14 of the most highly qualified gastrointestinal doctors in the area, operating out of eight private offices, five endoscopy clinics, and in every major hospital in the Charlotte area. We provide a full range of gastrointestinal medical services, screenings, and surgical procedures for all digestive health issues including colon cancer.

What Is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine, the biggest part of the human digestive tract. While this type of cancer generally starts with few to no noticeable symptoms, it can progress rather rapidly without early detection and appropriate management. Most people with the early stages of colon cancer experience no symptoms, but symptoms begin to appear as the disease worsens.

Colon cancer typically starts with polyps that form in the intestine. These polyps may or may not turn cancerous and may or may not produce noticeable symptoms. However, if a patient experiences any sudden change in his or her digestive health or any worrisome symptoms like bloody stool or persistent abdominal pain, he or she should undergo a colon cancer screening as soon as possible.

Stages and Symptoms of Colon Cancer

During the first stage of colon cancer, the cancer penetrates the lining or mucosa of the colon but does not yet penetrate the walls of the organ. Once the cancer progresses to the walls of the colon itself but has not yet affected nearby lymph nodes or other organs, doctors consider this stage two colon cancer. During stage three, the colon cancer spreads to one to three lymph nodes, and stage four colon cancer means the cancer has affected more distant organs like the lungs or liver.

Symptoms can be unpredictable as a patient with stage one colon cancer could display more acute symptoms than a patient at stage two. Some of the most common symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Chronic constipation
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stool
• Misshapen or narrowed stools
• Bloody rectum
• Excessive gassiness and flatulence
• Abdominal cramps and pains
• Excessive and unpredictable weight loss
• Weakness and fatigue

Anyone who experiences these symptoms should speak with a gastrointestinal doctor as soon as possible and undergo screenings to confirm or refute a diagnosis of colon cancer. North Carolina residents can come to Carolina Digestive Health Associates for early detection screenings and other preventive care.

Colon Cancer Treatments

The best way to treat colon cancer is to prevent it from appearing in the first place, and this means everyone must pay close attention to changes in digestive health. If a symptom or symptoms cause significant discomfort and over-the-counter medications offer no relief, it is probably best to seek treatment from a gastrointestinal doctor who can provide an accurate diagnosis.

Screening and Testing for Colon Cancer

If a doctor suspects colon cancer, a colonoscopy can help confirm the doctor’s suspicion by offering a visual inspection of the patient’s digestive tract. If the doctor notices any polyps in the intestine, he or she will typically send a sample for biopsy to check for the presence of cancer cells and remove any polyps as a preventive measure. Blood tests, CT scans, x-rays, and other imaging tests are other common preventive procedures that can help detect colon cancer as early as possible.

Struggling with digestive health issues can be stressful and painful, and anyone will likely experience acute stress if there is a chance of colon cancer. North Carolina residents need reliable and comprehensive digestive health care from highly trained professionals. Carolina Digestive Health Associates offers a full range of colon cancer screenings, treatments, and other procedures, so call us today at (704) 324-8776 during regular business hours to schedule a consultation with one of our gastrointestinal doctors.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group of gastroenterologists serving the residents of North Carolina. We have fourteen highly rated GI doctors who provide service at eight offices and five endoscopy centers. Our doctors work in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Our physicians, together with our highly trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners, cover a wide range of specialties and are skilled in diagnosis and treatment. Whether you have chronic problems with your digestive tract, a recent, acute attack or simply want a checkup, our team is here in North Carolina to help you reach your healthcare goals.

What We Do

Our team of gastroenterologists in North Carolina is trained to diagnose gastric conditions involving the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the colon and the rectum. Once we make a diagnosis, we can form a treatment plan tailored to the specific patient and their needs. Some of the common conditions we treat include:

• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver
• Gallstone
• Gastritis
• GERD
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Obesity
• Ulcers

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating these conditions and many more. North Carolina residents in the Charlotte area have come to trust our expertise and our friendly customer service.

Procedures

Our specialists cover a wide variety of fields within gastroenterology and can perform an array of procedures once they have made a diagnosis. Some of the more common procedures are:

• Rectal manometry. This test determines if the rectum is functioning properly and helps to diagnose fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
• Breath test. A GI doctor can diagnose certain digestive conditions by measuring the gases which a patient exhales.
• Colonoscopy. By means of a camera inserted into the body, doctors can view the intestine and look for polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and even cancer.
• Polypectomy. If doctors discover polyps during an endoscopy, they will use this procedure to remove them.
• Upper endoscopy. Similar to a colonoscopy, this procedure views the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum for inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.
• Esophageal manometry. This test is to determine the strength of the muscles that you use to swallow, which can affect conditions like heartburn.
• Feeding tubes. A GI doctor can insert a feeding tube when necessary if a patient is not able to feed him or herself.
• ORBERA Gastric Balloon. The FDA has approved our non-surgical program to help patients lose weight and form healthy habits to maintain a stable, healthy weight in the long term.

Research

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina, we participate in many clinical research trials. Medicine is a field that constantly advances, and we encourage and participate in this process to discover new and better ways to diagnose and treat digestive disorders. Sometimes, these trials provide treatment options to our patients in North Carolina that they would not be able to get anywhere else.

When Should You Come to See Us?

Persistent or severe symptoms are reasons to schedule a consultation with us in North Carolina. We also recommend regular screenings starting at age 45 for colon cancer. You may need to see a general practitioner first to get a referral. Come see us if you experience any of the following:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements a week means constipation. If it persists, contact us.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, but if it doesn't go away it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Heartburn. A burning your stomach and chest could be your stomach acid inflaming the lining of your esophagus.
• Stomach pain. Severe stomach pain could mean you have a gallstone. More persistent, burning pain could be an ulcer.
• Bloating. If you bloat after a meal, your body might be reacting to something you ate. A gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause.
• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum are swollen or feel irritated, you may have hemorrhoids, which a GI doctor can treat.
• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if there is red in the water after a bowel movement, you may have a severe problem that requires immediate attention.

For any of the above symptoms or a cancer screening in North Carolina, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a consultation. Call us at (704) 324-8776 and let one of our highly skilled gastroenterologists assist you.