If you have never had a colonoscopy before, having fears and worries about the process is understandable. With any medical procedure or surgery, being nervous about the process is common. Fear of pain/discomfort, trepidation about learning of a negative outcome, and fear of surgical complications make up the list of worries.

However, colonoscopies are a vital line of defense against colorectal cancer. The early stages of colorectal cancer often have no symptoms. However, this cancer is very treatable when found in its early stages, which makes regular screenings so important.

Let’s hear from other patients and learn from their experiences. By recognizing what they went through and the positive experiences they had, you can lower your level of worry.

The Power of Routine Screenings

As mentioned, since colorectal cancer often has no initial symptoms, routine screenings for persons aged 45+ are key in fighting this disease. For persons detected with stage 1 colon cancer (meaning that the cancer has not spread beyond the colon), the 5-year survival rate can be 90% or greater.

At ColonoscopyAssist, some of our patients talked about the value of our service for these routine screenings:

“Don’t neglect your health. Get screened. It will help put your mind at ease. … It was quick and painless. I will be going back for my 5-year. Thank you.”

“I’m so grateful for ColonoscopyAssist. I have actually used this service twice now, 5 years apart. The scheduling process was very easy, and I had a great experience with a pleasant doctor and GI clinic.”

Many of our patients have expressed value in the help we provide them with, knowing what to expect and how best to prepare.

The Success of Early Detection

The value of a colonoscopy is not just to detect an early sign of potential cancer but to act on eliminating that potential cancer at the same time. A colonoscopy is meant to find polyps, which are growths of varied shapes and sizes that form on the inner lining of the colon and rectum.

Polyps known as adenomatous and sessile serrated are types of polyps that are known to be precancerous. During a colonoscopy, the physician would either use forceps or a wire loop called a snare to cut/pluck the polyp off the intestinal wall. Afterward, the polyps are sent to a lab to determine the presence of cancer.

“I would highly recommend ColonoscopyAssist. If I were to use my high-deductible insurance, the out-of-pocket for me was going to be 3-5k pending the location plus more $$$ if any polyps were removed. With ColonoscopyAssist, the cost for the procedure was $1375, and an office visit of $200, and I had 5 polyps removed.”

“A great thing about the program is the all-inclusive price. As someone with a history of colon cancer and colon polyps in the family, I was concerned about the additional cost related to having any found polyps tested for pre-cancer or cancer cells. Having researched various options, I found out that having polyps tested could cost as much as the colonoscopy itself, which I obviously wanted to avoid. ColonoscopyAssist made the whole process less stressful. I highly recommend this service for your screenings.”

Knowing the truth about colonoscopies and what to expect is key to becoming comfortable with the process and relying on it for early detection.

Keeping High-Risk Patients Safe and Cancer-Free

For persons who have had family members diagnosed with colon cancer, the worry of a colon cancer diagnosis can be top-of-mind. Varied factors of genetics, ethnic background, and lifestyle factors can play a role in increased risk.

“Colon cancer runs in my family, so I must get tested every 3-5 years. This is my second time using this amazing company. I highly recommend using this company to ensure that you have a cancer-free future. Thanks!!”

“This saved my life. I am a 28-year-old mother of 3- and 4-year-old girls, and this program helped me get diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer. I’m self-pay, live in rural ND, and my doctor was in no hurry to schedule me for testing because of my age. I had to drive 5 hours for my colonoscopy, but it was worth every second!”

ColonoscopyAssist: Your Partner in Colon Health

ColonoscopyAssist is dedicated to making colonoscopies and other gastrointestinal procedures accessible and affordable for those without insurance or who are self-paying. Our program supports those committed to digestive wellness and colon health by offering affordable screening options.

Final Thoughts

If you are a first-time patient of a colonoscopy, being afraid and uncertain of the process is understandable. But do not let that fear get in the way of getting the important routine screenings that could save you from a fatal disease. By hearing what others have experienced, recognizing that they had similar fears and concerns, and that they overcame them puts you on a path to safeguarding your health.