Lowry
Surgicenter
Pradeep Kumar M.D.,
Medical Director of the
Lowry Surgicenter
Digestive tract “scope”
procedures and cataract
surgeries are increasingly
being done in the ambulatory
surgery centers because of
the convenience and privacy
they offer. Lowry
Surgicenter in Jeannette,
provides excellent care and
personalized caring service
in addition to the above
advantages. Lowry
Surgicenter and Colon Cancer
Screening both have this in
common: Only those who have
benefited from it know about
them. “Death from colon
cancer is largely
preventable in this 21st
century,” stated Pradeep
Kumar M.D., Medical Director
of the Lowry Surgicenter.
Of all cancer deaths, colon
cancer ranks second. It
starts slowly and silently,
without any symptoms,
Usually as a colon polyp, a
small growth. Over time,
polyps can grow into cancer
and spread into the body.
The major advance in the
fight against this silent
killer has been that by
screening, polyps and early
cancers can be found and
removed. This avoids surgery
altogether most of the time.
The American Cancer Society,
Medicare, and several other
national organizations
recommend colonoscopy
examinations to screen for
colon polyps and cancer in
anyone over 50 years of age.
Medicare patients who have
never had a colonoscopy are
fully covered and do not
need to have any symptoms.
(Symptoms develop later in
the disease; therefore,
Medicare now offers its
members a
preventive/curative
coverage.) Unlike a
mammogram, (that detects
breast cancer which then
requires surgery), a
colonoscopy detects polyps
that are pre-cancerous and
are removed with the scope
at the time of the test.
In addition to Medicare and
Blue Cross, most insurances,
including managed care such
as Keystone, Security Blue,
Aetna and others, no longer
require referrals or other
paperwork from primary care
physicians for this
preventive benefit. You can
contact the specialist of
your choice directly.
In the skilled hands of Dr.
Pradeep Kumar, most patients
having colonoscopy do not
experience any pain. In
fact, most patients are
pleasantly surprised when
they are informed that Dr.
Kumar has already completed
their colonoscopy procedure.
Short acting intravenous
sedatives are given to make
the person
unaware of the procedure.
The recommended age to have
a screening colonoscopy is
50. However, colon cancer is
hereditary. If there is a
history of colon polyp or
cancer in a first or second
degree relative, routine
colonoscopies may be
appropriate beginning at age
40. Dr. Kumar emphasizes
that even if you do not have
a family history or any
symptoms, you could have
colon polyps or early
cancer. Also, everyone
should be aware of the
warning symptoms of colon
cancer.
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