Colonoscopy has been proven to save lives by early detection and removal of polyps that if left intact may advance to cancer. Henry Ford Gastroenterology provides patients Open Access Colonoscopy, which means a routine screening colonoscopy study may be scheduled without the need to be examined by a gastroenterologist first. Patients no longer have to come in twice to see the gastroenterologist, saving patients' time and money.
Open Access Colonoscopy may be scheduled as long as the following specific health conditions are met:
Patients are between age 50 and 80 years old.
Patients with a first-degree relative diagnosed with colon cancer should start the screening colonoscopy either at age 40 or when the patient reaches the age of being 10 years younger than when the first-degree relative was diagnosed with colon cancer.
When patients have multiple disease conditions, nurses will preview the patient's medical record and physicians may be consulted first.
Some insurance plans do not cover preventive health screenings so patients will need to check with their insurance carrier to determine coverage.
