Open Access Colonoscopy
An Open Access Colonoscopy allows qualifying patients the ability to schedule a colonoscopy without having an office visit with their gastroenterologist prior to the procedure. We offer this option to make screening for colon cancer as affordable as possible and encourage a higher participation rate for those in the Plano and Allen TX areas.
The Open Access option simplifies the ability to schedule a colonoscopy by:
- Saving you the time of being at our office for a pre-procedure appointment
- Saving you the expense of an office visit co-pay
Qualifications for Open Access
Qualifying patients for the open access option are those:
- Between the ages of 45 to 74 and considered to be generally healthy
- Who are not currently experiencing any gastrointestinal symptoms
- Who do not have ACTIVE heart disease such as angina, recent heart stent, pacemaker or breathing issues such as Asthma or COPD
- Who are not on blood thinners, dialysis, and do not have an implanted defibrillator
- Who do not have any sleep disorders (i.e. Sleep Apnea)
- At average risk* for colon cancer. The criterion for determining if you are considered “average risk” are listed in the next section.
Below are the doctors who offer Open Access Colonoscopy. Please submit all needed information via the online form next to your preferred doctor’s name. After receiving the online request, a scheduler will contact you to finalize the details for your colonoscopy.
- Dr. Stuart Akerman – Open Access Online Request
- Dr. Sripathi Kethu – Open Access Online Request
If you have any digestive issues or have one of the above health conditions, we recommend that you come into the physician’s office prior to scheduling your colonoscopy.
Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines
The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk* of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45
*For colon cancer screening, people are considered to be at average risk if they DO NOT have:
- A personal history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps
- A family history of colorectal cancer
- A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis of Crohn’s disease)
- A confirmed or suspected hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, such as a familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC)
- A personal history of getting radiation to the belly or pelvic area to treat a prior cancer