Health Maintenance

A colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure that uses a scope (colon + scope = colonoscopy) to view the inside lining of the entire colon, which is the large intestine. The doctor can check for colon polyps or colon cancer; any polyps found will be removed during the procedure so they don’t become cancerous.

A colonoscopy may also be used to diagnose digestive or inflammatory bowel disease if you have bleeding, pain, or changes in bowel habits. Additionally, a colonoscopy may be used to collect tissue samples (biopsies) or perform specialized laser surgeries.

Some FPC providers are certified to perform colonoscopies at local ambulatory surgical centers.

A screening mammogram is an X-ray of the breasts, and it is used to look for signs of breast disease when you do not have any obvious breast symptoms or problems – such as a lump. A screening mammogram can detect cancer in its early stages, even before a lump can be felt, when treatment can be most successful. Screening mammograms take X-ray pictures of each breast from different angles.

Mammograms cannot prove that an abnormal area is cancerous, but they can give information that shows whether more testing is needed.

Mammograms can be performed at the facility of your choice with an order from your FPC provider.

Cervical cancer screening is an essential part of a woman’s routine health care. It is a way to detect abnormal cervical cells, including precancerous cervical lesions, as well as early cervical cancers. Both precancerous lesions and early cervical cancer can be treated successfully. Detecting cervical cancer early with a Pap smear gives you a greater chance at a cure.

The frequency of Pap tests is determined by your age, lifestyle, and other medical factors. Talk to your FPC provider to determine how often you should have a Pap test.

Pap smears are performed at all Family Practice Center locations.

Cholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that our bodies need in order to work properly. Our liver manufactures cholesterol, but we also consume additional cholesterol in fatty foods. Too much cholesterol can increase your chance of getting heart disease, stroke, and other problems.

High levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” kind), and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” kind), are important risk factors. Over time, a buildup of cholesterol in the circulatory system can block the arteries and cause heart disease, stroke, and other symptoms or problems throughout the body. Certain disorders that are passed down through families often lead to higher cholesterol levels that are harder to control.

Regular lipid screening is recommended for patients based on age and contributing risk factors. Regular monitoring and treatment can greatly decrease your risk of serious and sometimes life-threatening conditions related to high cholesterol.

Talk to your Family Practice Center provider to find out whether you are at risk for lipid disorders.

Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein that is produced by cancerous and noncancerous cells of the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of this antigen in a man’s blood; if the level is high, it may indicate prostate cancer. For this test, a blood sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

In addition to prostate cancer, a number of benign (noncancerous) conditions can cause a man’s PSA level to rise. The most frequent benign prostate conditions that cause an elevation in PSA levels are prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlargement of the prostate).

There is no evidence that prostatitis or BPH leads to prostate cancer, but it is possible for a man to have one or both of these conditions and to develop prostate cancer.

Talk to your Family Practice Center provider to determine whether you should have a PSA screening.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), an estimated 42.1 million people in the U.S., or 18.1% of all adults (aged 18 years or older), smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, accounting for more than 480,000 deaths every year – or one of every five deaths nationwide. More than 16 million Americans currently suffer from a disease that was directly caused by smoking.

If you are ready to stop smoking, contact your Family Practice Center office today. We can educate you on the latest smoking-cessation methods and help you determine what may work best for you. Our providers and staff are here to support your efforts to kick the habit!