New study finds screening colonoscopy reduces colon cancer death risk by 70 percent

A new study supports what gastroenterologists have preached to their patients for decades, having a screening colonoscopy greatly reduces the risk of developing colon cancer. Now they know by how much.

The study, published in the March 5 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that for average-risk people, screening colonoscopies produced a 70 percent reduction in risk for newly detected cases of advanced-stage colon cancer – the type most difficult to cure. Read more >>

Fourth Annual Gastrointestinal Associates’ Screening Colonoscopy Day is Lifesaving

The fourth annual Gastrointestinal Associates’ Screening Colonoscopy Day on Saturday gave 42 Knox-area people a life-saving opportunity – receiving a free colonoscopy.

GIA founded Screening Colonoscopy Day in 2009 for two reasons: to help protect uninsured people from this preventable and treatable disease, and to raise awareness about the importance of you and your loved ones getting screenings. Read more >>

GIA’s Top 10 Digestive Habits to Avoid or Adopt

Digestive health is affected by age, genetics and personal habits — all the more reason to know the ways in which you can improve your daily eating routine and digestive lifestyle. Here are 10 of the worst digestive health habits and why they are so bad for you: Read more >>

Colonoscopies save patients from the knife

For National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month in March, GIA is urging everyone to schedule a colonoscopy to reduce your risk of dying from colon cancer by at least 50 percent. One patient, Harrogate banker John Buis, is glad he did.

John was referred to me a few months ago for a routine screening. He was experiencing no pain or symptoms of any kind. Though it’s recommended to schedule your first regular colonoscopy at age 50, this was 66-year-old John Buis’ first screening. During the procedure, I discovered a fairly large polyp and was able to completely remove the polyp during the colonoscopy. Read more >>

Reduce your colon cancer risk: have a colonoscopy

Have you been putting off having a colonoscopy because you’d rather not endure the dreaded “prep” to clear your colon for the exam? Two new studies may cause you to rethink your reluctance. Read more >>

New Medicare Benefits Focus on Prevention

Beginning January 1, Medicare recipients will no longer be required to pay a co-pay or deductible to receive screening colonoscopies as part of the Medicare Preventive Services program. Read more >>

Second annual GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day helps build awareness

Back by popular demand . . . we held our second annual GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day on Saturday, Oct. 9. This year we provided free colonoscopy screenings for 48 patients who were referred to us by Interfaith Health Clinic, The Free Medical Clinic of America and West Knox Free Clinic. Read more >>

A Closer Look at Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder, is a chronic inflammation of the intestinal wall that may affect any part of the digestive tract. Crohn’s has become more common in the past few decades, and chances are you know someone with the disease. Read more >>

Research Helps GIA Physicians Achieve Better Outcomes

I recently participated in a study with a group of esteemed colleagues to determine if the suggested protocol for performing colonoscopy was, in fact, the most beneficial. The results of this study were published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology (http://www.jcge.com; Vol. 44, No. 4, April 2010). Read more >>

Act Now! Colorectal Cancer Can be Prevented

There is no time like the present to schedule your colonoscopy. Did you know that colorectal cancer is a largely preventable, treatable and beatable disease? It’s true — but you have to take the first step. Read more >>