Gastroenterology Clinic of Monroe First in LA to O
Post# of 129
MONROE, La. (Press Release) -- Gastroenterology Clinic (Drs. Raines, Hinkle, Richert, Coon, Smiarowski, and Levatino) in conjunction with Dr. Raj Bhandari and Dr. Butch Dunn, today announced that it is offering Cologuard®, the first and only FDA approved noninvasive stool DNA screening test for colorectal cancer.
Cologuard analyzes a person's stool to detect both altered DNA and blood known to be associated with colorectal cancer and precancer. Cologuard has been proven to find 92 percent of colorectal cancers in average risk patients with 87 percent specificity.
Unlike many other screening options, Cologuard does not require medication, dietary restrictions or bowel preparation prior to taking the test. This Gastroenterology Group is the first center in Louisiana to offer Cologuard. These gastroenterologists also participated in the clinical trials for Cologuard.
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cancer-related cause of death in the United States and is often considered the most preventable, yet least prevented cancer due to the lack of patient compliance with current screening options.
Most colorectal cancers develop slowly over several years. Before cancer develops, a polyp-a non-cancerous growth-usually appears on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.
The identification and removal of these polyps, through routine screenings, can effectively prevent colorectal cancer. For those whose cancer is detected at an early stage, the five-year survival rate can be greater than 90 percent, making routine screening critical.
Unfortunately, 23 million Americans aged 50 and over do not get screened as recommended.
"At our center, we take pride in offering the most advanced cancer detection technology available," said Dr. Arthur Richert, Gastroenterology Clinic of Monroe. "With colorectal cancer in particular, a high level of non-compliance with existing screening options has hampered our ability to identify the disease in its early stages when it is most treatable.....cont...
http://www.myarklamiss.com/story/d/story/gast...RSq7V3bOUQ