Colonoscopy in Portland, OR
Schedule Easily with Our Direct Access Colonoscopy Program
At our practice, we've made it simple for you to schedule a colonoscopy. Since 2011, we've been offering a Direct Access Colonoscopy (DAC) program to:
- Make it easier for patients to schedule their screenings.
- Save time for referring doctors.
- Eliminate the need for unnecessary office visits.
No referral is required upfront! If one is needed later, our staff will help coordinate with your primary care provider.
All of our providers perform a large volume of screening colonoscopies. Click here to see how we compare to national colonoscopy quality benchmarks.
You can get started by filling out the following forms online or printing the PDF versions and mailing them to us:
Once we receive and review your paperwork, our team will contact you to schedule an appointment at a time that works for you.
If you prefer to reach out to us directly, choose one of these options:
- Call Us – Speak with our team at (971) 254-9884
- Request Online - Click on Request Appointment above
Quick Facts about colon cancer
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the US. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 97,000 new cases of colon cancer and more than 43,000 new cases of rectal cancer in 20.
- Colorectal cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in the United States, approximately 50,000 deaths are expected from colorectal cancer in 2024.
- The lifetime risk for the development of colorectal cancer is 4.49% for men and 4.15% for women. This equates to 1 in 22 to 1 in 24 people developing colorectal cancer.
- Most patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer have no family history of colon cancer
What is a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a commonly performed procedure used to see inside the colon and rectum. The majority of colonoscopy is performed to screen for and prevent colon cancer. This is accomplished by removing very common (40% of men and 35% of women) precancerous growths of the colon called polyps during the procedure, preventing them from ever turning into a future cancer. Polyps cause most often cause no symptoms until they have become a colon cancer, so the only way of detecting and removing them is by having a colonoscopy.
Diagnostic colonoscopy is performed for patients experiencing symptoms such as unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bleeding from the anus, and weight loss. In this setting colonoscopy is being performed to look for causes of symptoms such as inflammation, ulcers, and cancer so that appropriate treatment may be offered.
When Should You Get Screened?
For most people, routine colonoscopies should start at age 45. Earlier screenings may be recommended if you have:
- A family history of colorectal cancer.
- A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease.
- Other risk factors.
Why was the age to begin screening recently lowered to 45?
- In 2018 an article was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute finding that nearly 1/3 or rectal cancers were being diagnosed under the age of 55.
- The following year the American Cancer Society officially announced it supported starting colon cancer screening beginning at age 45.
- In June of 2021 the United States Preventative Services Task Force made an official ruling to lower the age at which insurance companies are to cover colon cancer screening from 50 to 45 years-old.
How can you lower the risk for yourself?
- Don’t ignore symptoms such as rectal bleeding or a change in your bowel habit
- Many patients, especially younger patients often attribute their rectal bleeding to hemorrhoids, but large rectal polyps and even early stage rectal can bleed in a manner identical to hemorrhoid bleeding without any other associated symptoms.
- Be safe, discuss your symptoms with your primary care doctor or make an appointment to see one of our Colon and Rectal Surgeons who can diagnose the source of the bleeding.
- How do you get a screening colonoscopy?
- Colorectal Health NW has a direct access colonoscopy program that allows patients to schedule a screening colonoscopy without coming in for an office visit. Click Request Appointment above.
- Or contact your primary care doctor to discuss screening options.
Can I Use a Stool Test instead?
- There are two stool tests available to detect colorectal cancer that you may have heard about: a FIT test and Cologuard. Both tests can detect colorectal cancer, but they DO NOT detect polyps nearly as well as colonoscopy. Finding and removing polyps can prevent colorectal cancer. Therefore, the stool studies diagnose colon cancer and can lead to early detection, but only colonoscopy can prevent colon cancer.
- Stool studies also have a significant false positive rate. If this occurs, a colonoscopy must be done to prove it is a false positive. When being done for this reason, some insurance companies will view the colonoscopy step as being diagnostic and the patient will receive the bill for the diagnostic service. When the colonoscopy is being done as a screening exam (not for symptoms or a positive stool test), the study should be processed as a preventative screening service and the patient not billed by their insurance for those services.
- For stool studies to early detect, they must reliably be completed every year for a FIT test and every 3 years for a Cologuard. Failing to do so can significantly diminish their ability to save the persons life from colon cancer. Following a normal colonoscopy, the average risk patient is permitted to wait a decade between one exam and the next.
How to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Our office provides written instructions about how to prepare for colonoscopy, also available on the website. The process is called a bowel prep. Generally, all solids must be emptied from the gastrointestinal tract by following a clear liquid diet the day before the procedure. Patients should not drink beverages containing red or purple dye.
The bowel preparation typically starts the evening before the colonoscopy. There is often a second portion on the day of the procedure. The bowel preparation loosens stool and increases bowel movements, ultimately producing a complete emptying of the colon. Your bowel prep may either be in the form of tablets or liquid.
Driving and returning to work are not permitted for the day of the procedure. However, the very next day you may return to all your normal activities. Before the appointment, patients should make plans for a ride home that must be with a known acquaintance or hired medical transport (not taxicab, Uber, Lyft, etc).
You may resume your normal diet immediately following the conclusion of the colonoscopy.
How is colonoscopy performed?
Examination of the Large Intestine
During colonoscopy, patients lie on their left side on an examination table. In most cases anesthetic is used and patients sleep comfortably throughout the exam. The doctor and medical staff monitor vital signs and ensure the patients comfortable.
The doctor inserts flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope, or scope, into the anus and carefully guides it through the rectum and colon. The scope inflates the large intestine with carbon dioxide gas to give the doctor a better view. A small camera mounted on the scope transmits a high-definition image from inside the large intestine to a video monitor, allowing the doctor to carefully examine the intestinal lining.
Once the scope has reached the beginning of the colon, it is slowly withdrawn and the lining of the large intestine is carefully examined again.
Removal of Polyps and Biopsy
A doctor can remove growths, called polyps, during colonoscopy. Polyps are common in adults and usually cause no symptoms. However, most colorectal cancer begins as a polyp, so removing polyps early is an effective way to prevent cancer.
The doctor can also take samples from abnormal-looking tissues during colonoscopy. The procedure, called a biopsy, allows the doctor to later look at the tissue with a microscope for signs of disease.
The doctor removes polyps and takes biopsy tissue using tiny tools passed through the scope. Biopsy of the colon and removal of polyps does not result in any pain following the procedure.
Recovery
Colonoscopy usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. The sedative takes time to completely wear off. Patients are typically monitored while waking up fully for about 30 minutes after the procedure. Full recovery is expected by the next day. Discharge instructions should be carefully read and followed. There are usually no activity restrictions the day following the procedure.
Don’t wait to prioritize your health. Whether you notice symptoms like bleeding or just want to stay ahead of cancer risk, a colonoscopy is a powerful preventive tool.