People over the age of 50, or who have a family history of colon cancer, may be in need of a colonoscopy. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and this event marks the fifth annual free Colonoscopy Clinic provided by Covenant Health.
The clinic will be held April 2 at the Covenant Endoscopy Center, located at 3610 21st St. Procedures will be done by Dr. Subhash Batra, Dr. Elias Ghandour, Dr. Houssam Al Kharrat, Dr. William Shaver and physicians from Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates.
A colonoscopy is a test that looks into the inner lining of one’s large intestine using a flexible tube called a colonoscope. A small video camera is attached to the end of the colonoscope allowing the doctor to take pictures or video of the colon. This procedure can detect ulcers, tumors, areas of inflammation or bleeding and polyps- a benign mole that if left alone can turn into cancer.
All materials, including anesthesia and colon prep kits, will be provided to the patients who qualify for the free colonoscopy. Qualifying patients must be 50 years of age or have a family history of colon cancer and meet the financial criteria.
Those interested must call (806) 725-7448 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, to be screened for qualification for this preventive procedure. Screening deadline is Feb. 20; space is limited. This event is part of the Colon Cancer Awareness Program sponsored in part by Covenant Health.
CONTACT: Zane Ellis, nurse manager, Covenant Endoscopy Center, (806) 725-4442 or zellis@covhs.org.
(News release from Covenant Health)
