Amber Scarborough introduced Dr. Harish Gagneja, of Austin Gastroenterology, Colon Cancer Screening. Dr. Gagneja provides cutting edge care in a patient-centered environment. He is an expert communicator and is known for his ability to break down the complex world of medical jargon into simple terms that his patients can easily understand. Before joining Austin Gastroenterology in 2004, Dr. Gagneja was Assistant Professor of Medicine and Co-director of the GI fellowship program at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he was also a lead endoscopist. In 2018, Austin Monthly recognized Dr. Gagneja as a Top Doctor, an annual recognition of the best physicians in the Austin area as chosen by their peers.
Dr. Gagnja talked to us about how colonoscopies can actually help prevent colon cancer by removing polyps during the procedure before they become cancerous. He noted that the preparation now is not difficult, and there are several options. The typical age to begin colonoscopies is 50 although he thinks age 45 would be even better and that, depending on the health of the patient, no one is too old for one. If no polyps are found, then the next procedure is ordered in 10 years, but if polyps are found, the doctor will most likely recommend another colonoscopy in three to five years. He noted that screening colonoscopies are generally covered by insurance, but if a polyp is found during the screening procedure, the next ones currently become “diagnostic” and have a co-pay. However, several medical organizations are lobbying to change this, so colonoscopies are covered100% by insurance. For more information, visit www.austingastro.co
