Direct Access Colonoscopy Program

At Adena Gastroenterology scheduling a colonoscopy is easy and convenient. Available for patients with no symptoms, our Direct Access Colonoscopy Program does not require a preliminary office visit. Pre-screening, prep and paperwork are handled by phone, fax, patient portal and mail. 

Your Adena Gastroenterology provider will talk with you before and after the procedure, and if results are normal, a follow-up office appointment is not necessary. Patients receive colonoscopy results directly through our secure patient portal. Regardless of the findings, a prompt, detailed report is also sent to your primary care physician.

Is a Direct Access Colonoscopy Right For Me?

Patients can schedule a Direct Access Colonoscopy procedure without first having an office visit with a gastroenterologist if they meet the following criteria:

• Must be age 50 or over;
• Have a family history of colon cancer, are 40 or older and have not been screened; 
• Have no significant heart, lung, liver or kidney disease;
• Not on blood-thinning medications other than routine aspirin use;
• Must not have a history of stroke or blood clots; and 
• Must not have active asthma asthma, COPD or severe obstructive sleep apnea

Individuals who do not meet these criteria, or those who have specific gastrointestinal complaints, should discuss colonoscopy with their primary care physician or schedule an appointment to see one of our gastroenterologists prior to scheduling a colonoscopy. 

Colorectal Cancer – Are You at Risk? 

Take our Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment and get an estimate of your lifetime risk of developing colon and rectal cancer. You will also learn about screening options and necessary guidelines.

Why schedule a colon cancer screening?

Colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable. So, why is it still the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States?

It is estimated that annually 150,000 Americans will be newly diagnosed with colon cancer. Many of these cancers, and certainly many deaths, could be prevented with a colon cancer screening.

The number one way to prevent colon cancer is to have a colonoscopy. Most people should get their first colonoscopy at age 50 and repeat it every 10 years if the test is normal.  People with a family history of colorectal cancer should get screened at age 40, or when they are 10 years younger than the age at which a family member was diagnosed. African Americans with no risk factors should begin screening at age 45.

For more information or to schedule a colonoscopy through Adena Gastroenterology’s Direct Access Colonoscopy Program, call 740-779-8530.