Today's Medical News

Gastroenterology

Digestive Health Specialists, P.A.

Colonoscopy and Endoscopy Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 to 4:00
Nurse available Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 4:00

Dr. J.R. Jones Medical Center
402 West King Street
P.O. Box 410
King, NC 27021
For a map, click here
Phone: 336-983-9617

What do we do?

Besides treating patients with any number of GI related diseases, we believe that one of the most important functions a GI doctor performs is the early detection of colon cancer through screening colonoscopies.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cancer killer in the U.S., and as many as 2/3 of these deaths could be avoided through early detection.

The ACS recommends that a healthy adult at average risk should have their first screening at age 50. Some of the recommended methods for screening are:

(1) Colonoscopy every 10 years
(2) Double-contract barium enema every 5 years
(3) Flexible Sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
(4) Yearly Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) or Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

Even with all the recent publicity around CRC screening, roughly half of all adults over 50 have yet to undergo the screening test. When asked why they haven't yet, most patients over 50 give the following reasons:

(1) the belief that it (CRC) won't happen to me
(2) fear
(3) time constraints
(4) cost
(5) embarrassment

As a health care provider, you can play a vital role in educating patients that timely screening can help prevent this potentially deadly disease.

To schedule an appointment, call (336) 983-9617