It’s almost Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and you’re trying to find a gastroenterologist to perform your colonoscopy. If you feel overwhelmed by this task, you are not alone. It is a tremendous amount of pressure. After all, colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and the best way to prevent colon cancer is through routine colonoscopies. What criteria should you use in making the final selection?
Here are three indicators for a quality colonoscopy that will help you choose a qualified gastroenterologist:
Cecal Intubation
Cecal intubation is essential for a complete examination. This term refers to the completion of the insertion process of the colonoscope to begin the colonoscopy. Your gastroenterologist will carefully advance a tube to the farthest point of your colon known as the cecum. The colonoscope is then slowly withdrawn and your doctor will examine your colon for abnormalities and polyps. Research has proven that a large percentage of colon polyps are located in the proximal colon, including the cecum. Advancing the colonoscope to the very beginning of the colon close to the ileocecal valve and appendix is necessary for a thorough, quality colonoscopy (Source: Medical News).
Adenoma Detection Rate
Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is the widely accepted national benchmark to assess a doctor’s proficiency in performing screening colonoscopies. Your gastroenterologist’s ability to find and remove precancerous polyps during a colonoscopy is converted to a number, so the higher the doctor’s polyp detection rate is, the higher his or her ADR will be.
When you are selecting a gastroenterologist to perform your colonoscopy, look for an ADR of at least 15 percent in women and at least 25 percent in men. Don’t be shy in asking for your doctor’s ADR either. Experienced, proficient gastroenterologists are proud to share their ADR because it gives concrete evidence that the colonoscopies they perform are effective.
Withdrawal time
Withdrawal time refers to the amount of time that it takes for your gastroenterologist to remove the colonoscope after reaching the cecum, or the beginning of the colon. High ADRs are usually associated with a longer withdrawal time, so look for a doctor with a withdrawal time of at least six minutes.
Being familiar with these three quality indicators will help you confidently select the gastroenterologist to perform your colonoscopy during Colon Cancer Awareness Month. This process may be lengthy, but take time to choose the doctor who will provide you with the most comprehensive colon screening. Please take a moment to use our Find a Center tool to find a screening center near you.
