More Information 

Attentive Staff

Gastroenterology

Anthony L. Thomas, M.D.

Joel T. Callahan, M.D.

Gregory Thaggard, M.D.

Thomas D. Crowson, M.D.

 

Urology

Robert E. Dilworth, M.D.

Mark T. Phillips, M.D.

 

 

We know that some medical procedures can be difficult to face so our staff is here to answer any questions and make your visit with us as comfortable as possible.

 

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday

6:00 A.M to 3:30 P.M

Phone: 601-485-1131

 

Statistics of Interest

Not counting skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 108,070 new cases of colon cancer and 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer in 2008 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 49,960 deaths. The death rate from colorectal cancer has been going down for the past 15 years. One reason is that there are fewer cases. Thanks to colorectal cancer screening, polyps can be found and removed before they turn into cancer. And colorectal cancer can also be found earlier when it is easier to cure. Treatments have improved as well.
 
Colon and rectal cancer screening
 
Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should use one of the screening tests below. The tests that are designed to find both early cancer and polyps are preferred if these tests are available to you and you are willing to have one of these more invasive tests. Talk to your doctor about which test is best for you.
 
Tests that find polyps and cancer
  • flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years*
  • colonoscopy every 10 years
  • double contrast barium enema every 5 years*
 
Tests that mainly find cancer
  • fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year*,**
  • fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year*,**
  • stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*
 
People should talk to their doctor about starting colorectal cancer screening earlier and/or being screened more often if they have any of the following colorectal cancer risk factors:
  • a personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
  • a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis)
  • a strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps (cancer or polyps in a first-degree relative [parent, sibling, or child] younger than 60 or in 2 or more first-degree relatives of any age)
  • a known family history of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
 
*Colonoscopy should be done if test results are positive.
**For FOBT or FIT used as a screening test, the take-home multiple sample method should be used. A FOBT or FIT done during a digital rectal exam in the doctor's office is not adequate for screening.