Colon Cancer Screening

Protect your health with colorectal cancer screenings from PIH Health in LA County. Regular tests like a colonoscopy can help prevent colorectal cancer—or find it early when it’s easier to treat.

Do I need a Colon Cancer Screening?

Get a colon cancer screening by the time you turn 45 or earlier if you have a higher risk of colon cancer because you:

• Are of certain race or ethnic background like African American, Ashkenazi, or Jewish
• Have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps (lumps in the large intestine), or previous colorectal cancer
• Have inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Eat a diet high in fat, red meat, alcohol
• Have a history of tobacco use

Ask your primary care provider how often you should get a colon cancer screening.

Colorectal Cancer Screenings

Screening tests find signs of cancer before you have symptoms. Ask your doctor about the best colon cancer screening test for you:

• Colonoscopy – Examines the entire colon (large intestine) using a thin, flexible tube with a very small camera on the end; doctors may also remove tissue samples or abnormal growths (polyps) during this procedure
• CT colonography – Uses computed tomography to detect cancers and larger polyps
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy – Examines the lower one-third of the colon to detect cancers and polyps
• Lower gastrointestinal tract radiography (barium enema) – Uses X-ray and contrast solution to take pictures of your large intestine
• Stool-based tests, such as fecal immunochemical test (FIT), Cologuard®, and ColoVantage® – Tests a stool sample to detect signs of colon cancers

Schedule a Colonoscopy

Save time and money with our streamlined colonoscopy screening program. Contact us yourself or ask your primary care doctor to call. We’ll ask about your medical history and risk factors and review details of the procedure. If your health permits, we’ll schedule your appointment directly—eliminating the need for an additional pre-procedure office visit.

Colonoscopy: What to Expect

Rely on your care team for instructions on preparing for your colonoscopy. The night before, you’ll need to drink a clear liquid and a special solution to clean out your colon.

Before your colonoscopy, you’ll receive medicine to help you relax. The medicine may make you sleepy. You probably won’t remember much about the procedure. 

Colonoscopies take between ten and 60 minutes, depending on whether your doctor needs to remove any abnormal growths (polyps).

Your Colonoscopy Results

Your doctor will share your test results as soon as they are available—usually on the day of your procedure.