Somerset County, NJ: Now Serving Hillsborough, Warren & Somerville
Take a Preventive Step for Your Health
Book your colonoscopy in Somerset County today to help prevent colon cancer and catch potential issues early. This routine colon cancer screening is one of the most effective ways to protect your long-term digestive health.
What Is a Colonoscopy?
Your physician has recommended a colonoscopy to provide a more precise evaluation of your digestive health or to treat a condition that may require closer examination. To help you feel prepared and confident, we’ve outlined what the procedure involves and answered some of the most common questions patients ask. Please review this information carefully, and don’t hesitate to speak with your endoscopy nurse or physician if you have additional questions. At DHC, we want every patient undergoing a colonoscopy in New Jersey to feel fully informed—from preparation to recovery.
A colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. It allows your physician to detect early signs of colorectal cancer and prevent its development by identifying and removing precancerous polyps. During the procedure, a thin, flexible tube—about the width of a finger—is gently inserted through the anus and guided through the rectum and colon. This scope includes a tiny camera and light, giving your physician a clear view of the colon’s lining to check for inflammation, polyps, bleeding, or other abnormalities.
By providing both diagnostic insight and immediate treatment capabilities, colonoscopy remains one of the most valuable tools for protecting your long-term digestive health.
Expert Care Close to Home
At Digestive Healthcare Center, we provide safe, comfortable, and high-quality colonoscopy screenings in Hillsborough, Warren, and Somerville. Our experienced team is committed to giving you the peace of mind that comes with taking charge of your preventive care.
Why Colonoscopies Matter
A colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer prevention. It not only detects signs of cancer early but also allows your gastroenterologist to remove precancerous polyps during the same procedure—reducing your risk before problems develop.
What Age to Get a Colonoscopy
For decades, routine colonoscopy screening began at age 50. However, the American Cancer Society now recommends starting at age 45, reflecting the rise in colorectal cancer cases among younger adults. Beginning screening earlier helps detect precancerous polyps and early-stage cancer when treatment is most effective.
In some cases, your physician may recommend a colonoscopy before age 45. This is typically due to symptoms or risk factors that require further evaluation. Common reasons younger patients may need a colonoscopy include:
- Persistent diarrhea
- Rectal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss
If your colonoscopy does not reveal any risk factors—such as polyps—you can typically wait 10 years before your next screening. Your physician will guide you on the appropriate follow-up schedule based on your individual results and medical history.
Preparing for a Colonoscopy in NJ?
The colon must be completely clean for the procedure to be accurate and complete. Your physician will give you detailed instructions on the dietary restrictions to follow and the cleansing routine to use. In general, colonoscopy preparation consists of either consuming a special cleansing solution or following a regimen of clear liquids, laxatives, and enemas for several days before the examination. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. If you do not, the procedure may have to be cancelled and repeated later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need To Stop Taking My Current Medications Before a Colonoscopy?
Most medications may be continued as usual before a colonoscopy, but some medications can interfere with the preparation or the examination. It is therefore best to inform your physician of your current medications and any medication allergies several days before the examination. Aspirin products, arthritis medications, anticoagulants (blood thinners), insulin, and iron products are examples of medications whose use should be discussed with your physician before the examination. It is also essential that you alert your doctor if you require antibiotics before undergoing dental procedures, since you may need them before a colonoscopy as well.
What Can Be Expected During a Colonoscopy in NJ?
Colonoscopy is usually well-tolerated and rarely causes significant pain. This procedure is usually performed with sedation. An Anesthesiologist will administer medication through a vein to help you relax and better tolerate any discomfort from the procedure. You will be lying on your side or on your back as the colonoscope is slowly advanced through the large intestine. As the colonoscope is slowly withdrawn, the lining is again carefully examined. The procedure usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. In some cases, passage of the colonoscope through the entire colon to its junction with the small intestine cannot be achieved. The physician will decide if the limited examination is sufficient or if additional examinations are necessary.
What If the Colonoscopy Shows Something Abnormal?
Suppose your doctor thinks an area of the bowel needs to be evaluated in greater detail. In that case, a forceps instrument is passed through the colonoscope to obtain a biopsy (a sample of the colon lining), or a small brush is introduced to collect cells (for a cytology test). These specimens are submitted to the pathology laboratory for analysis. If a colonoscopy is performed to identify sites of bleeding, the bleeding may be controlled through the colonoscope by injecting certain medications or coagulating the bleeding vessels. If polyps are found, they are generally removed. None of these additional procedures produces pain since the colon lining can only sense stretching. Remember, biopsies are taken for many reasons and do not necessarily mean that cancer is suspected.
What Are Polyps And Why Are They Removed?
Polyps are abnormal growths from the lining of the colon, which vary in size from a tiny dot to several inches. The majority of polyps are benign (noncancerous), but the doctor cannot always tell a benign polyp from a malignant (cancerous) one by appearance alone. For this reason, removed polyps are sent to the pathologist for tissue analysis. Colon polyps removal is an essential means of preventing colorectal cancer.
How Are Polyps Removed During Colonoscopy?
Tiny polyps may be destroyed by fulguration (burning), but larger polyps are removed by a technique called snare polypectomy. The doctor passes a wire loop (snare) through the colonoscope and severs the polyp’s attachment to the intestinal wall using an electrical current. You should feel no pain during the polypectomy. There is a small risk that removing a polyp will cause bleeding or result in a burn to the wall of the colon, which could require emergency surgery.
What Happens After a Colonoscopy in NJ?
After a colonoscopy, your physician will explain the results to you. If you have been given medications during the procedure, you will be observed until most of the sedative effects have worn off (for 1/2 to 1 hour). You will need someone to drive you home after the procedure.
You may experience cramping or bloating due to air introduced into the colon during the examination. This should disappear quickly with the passage of flatus (gas). Generally, you can eat after leaving the endoscopy area, but your doctor may restrict your diet and activities, especially after polypectomy.
What Are the Possible Complications Of Colonoscopy?
One possible complication is a perforation or tear through the bowel wall, which could require surgery. Bleeding may occur at the biopsy or polypectomy site. It is usually minor and resolves on its own, or it can be controlled with the colonoscope. Rarely, blood transfusions or surgery may be required. Other potential risks include a reaction to the sedatives used and complications from heart or lung disease. Rarely, with anesthesia, patients can aspirate, meaning small amounts of fluid or saliva can get into the lungs and cause pneumonia. Localized irritation of the vein where the medications were injected may cause a tender lump lasting several weeks, but it will go away eventually. Applying hot packs or hot, moist towels may help relieve discomfort. Although complications after colonoscopy are uncommon, you need to recognize early signs of potential complications. Contact your physician if you notice any of the following symptoms: severe abdominal pain, fever and chills, or rectal bleeding of more than one-half cup. Bleeding can occur several days after polypectomy.
Colonoscopy and polypectomy are generally safe when performed by physicians who are specially trained and experienced in these endoscopic procedures, such as our board-certified gastroenterologists at Digestive Healthcare Center in NJ.
Screening and Diagnostic Colonoscopy in NJ
Our gastroenterology specialists perform colonoscopies at our Hillsborough office and surgical center. Before your procedure, we will ensure that all your questions are answered and that you are fully informed about every aspect of the procedure. Please call 908-218-9222 to make your appointment.
Take the Next Step Toward Protecting Your Health
A colonoscopy is one of the most powerful tools for preventing colorectal cancer and ensuring long-term digestive wellness. Whether you’re due for a routine screening or need an evaluation for ongoing symptoms, the experienced gastroenterologists at Digestive Healthcare Center are here to provide compassionate, expert care. Don’t wait to take charge of your health—schedule your colonoscopy at our Hillsborough, Somerville, or Warren location today and feel confident about your future well-being.