Colon cancer deaths have done down by 35 percent since the early 1990s, thanks to a regular schedule of preventive screenings.

Although as many as 80 percent of colorectal-related deaths are caused by treatable colorectal cancer, and it remains one of the three leading causes of cancer-related deaths in America. More than 50,000 Americans will die this year from this disease.

Colon cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups and is the most often found in people 50 years or older. Since 1996 colorectal cancer has increased at a rate of 2.3 percent for people in their forties and fifties. With a third of rectal cancer patients under the age of 55.

What is Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Depending on where it starts, it goes by various names such as colon cancer or rectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer generally starts in the innermost layer and can grow outward through some or all the layers of the colon and rectum. When cancer cells are in the wall, they can grow into blood or lymph vessel and can travel to nearby lymph nodes or distant parts of the body.

There are 5 types of cancer:

Adenocarcinomas makes up more than 95% of colorectal cancers. This cancer starts in the cells that make mucus to lubricate the inside of the colon and rectum.

Carcinoid tumors begin from specialized hormone producing cells in the intestine.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) begin from specialized cells in the wall of the colon, interstitial cells of Cajal. These tumors can be found anywhere in the digestive tract, but are not as common in the colon.

Lymphomas are cancers of the immune system cells and typically start in the lymph nodes. However, they can also start in the colon, rectum, or other organs.

Sarcomas are rare and begin in the blood vessels, muscle layers, or other connective tissues in the wall of the colon and rectum.

Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer

• Family history of cancer
• Over 50
• Overweight/Obese
• Physical inactivity
• Diets high in red meats, processed meats
• Diets high in vegetables, fruits, and high grain fibers
• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol use

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer may not show symptoms right away, but if it does, it may cause one or more of these symptoms.

• Change in bowels, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for multiple days
• The feeling of needing to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by having one
• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in the stool
• Cramping or abdominal pain
• Weakness and fatigue
• Unintended weightless

The Virtual Colonoscopy at Advanced Body Scan is the single most effective technology available to simply and non-invasively detect signs of colorectal cancer.

Call Advanced Body Scan today and begin your journey to a healthier, happier you 833-411-7226.

What is Colon Polyps

A colon polyp is a small clump of cells that forms on the lining of the colon. Most are harmless, yet, over time some can develop into colon cancer.

Anyone can develop colon polyps, however, if you are over 50 years of age you are at a higher risk of these developing.

There are two types of colon polyps:

Non-neoplastic include hyperplastic polyps, inflammatory polyps, and hamartomatous polyps. These types typically do not become cancerous.

Neoplastic polyps include adenomas and serrated. These are generally larger than non-neoplastic and have a greater risk of becoming cancerous.

Risk Factors for Colon Polyps

• Over the age of 50
• Family history of colon polyps or colon cancer
• Obesity/Lack of exercise
• Smoker
• Excessive alcohol
• Type 2 diabetes
• African-Americans are at higher risk
• Inflammatory intestinal conditions (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)

Symptoms of Colon Polyps

Often Colon Polyps shows no symptoms and you may not know you have a polyp until your doctor finds it after an examination.

Some people with Colon Polyps experience:

• Rectal bleeding
• Change in stool color
• Change in bowel habits
• Pain
• Iron deficiency anemia

Colon Polyps often does not show symptoms, therefore it is important to be screened regularly to monitor the growth of polyps. The earlier polyps are detected and removed, the less likely they will become malignant.

The Virtual Colonoscopy at Advanced Body Scan is the most effective technology available to simply and non-invasively detect signs of Colon Polyps.

Call Advanced Body Scan today and begin your journey to a healthier, happier you 833-411-7226.

What are Kidney Stones

Kidney Stones are hard deposits made from the minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They often form with urine becomes concentrated, this allows the minerals to crystallize and stick together.

Kidney Stones can affect any part of your urinary tract from your kidneys to your bladder. While quite painful, they rarely cause any permanent damage if they are recognized early.

If detected early Kidney Stones can be treated with pain medication and drinking water to help them pass. However, if they become lodged in the urinary tract, surgery could be required.

Risk Factors for Kidney Stones

• Family or personal history
• Dehydration
• Certain diets (high protein, sodium, sugar)
• Obesity
• Digestive diseases and surgery (gastric bypass, inflammatory bowel, chronic diarrhea)
• Medical Conditions such as renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

• Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs
• Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin
• Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
• Pain with urination
• Cloudy or foul smelling urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Persistent need to urinate
• Urinating more often than usual
• Fever and chills
• Urinating in small amounts

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to diagnose quickly.

The Virtual Colonoscopy at Advanced Body Scan is the most effective technology available to simply and non-invasively detect signs of a Kidney Stones.

Call Advanced Body Scan today and begin your journey to a healthier, happier you 833-411-7226.

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA)
• Wall Thickening
• Gross Annular Lesion
• Diverticulitis
• Diverticulosis
• Abnormal Growth/Inflammation

Advanced Body Scan Provides Virtual Colonoscopies In Oklahoma and Texas

A colonoscopy is a method of detection by which we can assess the condition of the colon, including diseases, obstructions, or inflammation. One of the most common reasons people choose to get a colonoscopy is to preemptively check for cancer.

At Advanced Body Scan, we provide safe, clean, and minimally invasive virtual colonoscopies.

Our virtual colonoscopies differ from conventional colonoscopies in a number of important ways. First, virtual colonoscopies are virtual, meaning we don’t use an optical scope. Instead, we can take images using our GE CT scanner, which provides us with even better results than the optical scope. Using this method, we can even zoom in on various areas for even more accurate study.

Our virtual colonoscopy involves:

• Minimal preparation
• No anesthesia

Conventional colonoscopies that involve an optical scope are performed while the patient is awake, but sedated. This, in combination with the length of the procedure, often takes a huge portion out of one’s day. At Advanced Body Scan, however, our virtual colonoscopy is usually conducted in as little time as 15 minutes.

What Does a Colonoscopy Detect?

Our virtual colonoscopies can detect :

• Colon Cancer
• Colon Polyps
• Kidney/Gall Stones
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA)
• Wall Thickening
• Gross Annular Lesion
• Diverticulitis
• Diverticulosis
• Abnormal Growth/Inflammation

Some of the main things we look for in our virtual colonoscopies include:

• Bleeding: Our virtual colonoscopies will detect areas in the colon that are bleeding, and determine the cause. Inflammatory disorders like Crohn’s disease can cause intestinal bleeding, as well as ulcers or polyps. We can determine the exact nature of your intestinal bleeding and its underlying causes.
• Inflammation: Inflammatory bowel disease can result in a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including pain and diarrhea. With our GE CT scanner, we can detect inflammation, tissue abnormalities, and other problems throughout the entire surface of the colon.
• Abnormal Cells: These often result in polyps. Our GE CT scanner can detect their size, number, and whether or not diseased tissues are also present. Our virtual colonoscopy will also detect colon obstructions like tumors.

Who Needs To Get a Colonoscopy?

If you live in the United States, your lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is approximately 6%. This applies to both males and females equally. If you are related to someone who had colon cancer or polyps after the age of 50, your risk doubles. If your relatives were diagnosed with cancer or polyps at a younger age, or you have a high number of relatives with these conditions, your risk is also significantly higher.

There are disorders in which these problems are inherited, such as polyposis syndromes and nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

Other risk factors include:

• Crohn’s Disease
• Colitis and ulcerative colitis
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Obesity
• Cigarette smoking

There are a number of symptoms you should watch out for that may indicate the necessity of a colonoscopy. These symptoms include:

• Bowel habit changes, such as diarrhea, constipation, altering of stool consistency, all of which last longer than four weeks
• Bleeding from the rectum
• Bloody stools
• Persistent abdominal discomfort, cramps, or gas pain
• Lack of satisfaction after a bowel movement, such as the feeling that you are not completely empty
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Sudden, unexplainable weight loss

People around the age of 50 should get a colonoscopy even if none of the above history or symptoms apply to them. This baseline colonoscopy serves to establish a healthy bill of health, or to find problems that may be developing, as this is an age at which people are at a higher risk for problems like colon cancer and other disorders. A colonoscopy follow up should be performed every 10 years afterward or sooner based upon your doctor’s recommendation.

It is important to remember that 50 is not some kind of magic number. It is merely the general age at which researchers and experts have identified people to be at high enough risk to warrant a routine colonoscopy.

No matter what the reason may be, our minimally invasive colonoscopies can detect any number of possible colon problems, which is the first step towards determining appropriate and effective treatment.