What doctors do colonoscopy

Colon and rectal surgeons are experts in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of colon and rectal problems. Colon and rectal surgeons treat benign and malignant conditions, perform routine colon screening examinations and surgically treat problems when necessary. A gastroenterologist is a doctor who has completed initial training in internal medicine and further training in gastroenterology. Gastroenterologists do not operate on patients.

A gastroenterologist specializes in diseases of the digestive system gastrointestinal GI tract. Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat many conditions that affect the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine colon , and biliary system e. Good colon preparation is key to a successful colonoscopy. Work with your provider to choose a colon-cleanse preparation that will be the most effective for you.

Nancy Baxter from St. The research team used the records to determine which of those people, along with another 27, of the same age and gender without colon cancer, had gotten a colonoscopy in prior years.

During a colonoscopy, a doctor uses a probe to check the intestine for pre-cancerous polyps and early signs of cancer, and can remove anything that looks worrisome. Overall, the findings are in line with previous research suggesting a benefit for screening: people who died of colon cancer were 60 percent less likely to have had a colonoscopy over the previous decade, compared to the colon cancer-free group. While we treat many of the same conditions there are some inherent differences in these two specialties.

Knowing this difference will guide you to the right specialist. A colorectal surgeon, may also be known as a proctologist. To become a colorectal surgeon, you must first become a general surgeon, which includes 5 years of surgical residency after medical school, where you learn how to do all sorts of surgeries from gallbladder surgery, hernia surgery, breast surgery, and even vascular surgery.

You then do an extra year of specialty surgical training in colon and rectal surgery to become an expert in surgery for the colon, rectum and anus treating everything from hemorrhoids and anal fistulas to colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis and pelvic floor disorders.

During that time you also learn to perform colonoscopy and endoluminal procedures. Many colorectal surgeons practice both general surgery and colorectal surgery, and some choose to specialize only in colorectal surgery me , despite being board certified in both.

Gastroenterologists, on the other hand, first complete 3 years of medical residency, learning to care for all medical conditions from diabetes and heart disease to pneumonia and rheumatoid arthritis. They then do 3 years of specialty training in the medical management of gastrointestinal diseases and learn to do colonoscopy and endoscopy.