Cancer screening guidelines are recommended for those people at average risk for cancer (unless otherwise specified) and without any specific symptoms.People who are at increased risk for certain cancers may need to follow a different screening schedule, such as starting at an earlier age or being screened more often. Those with symptoms that could be related to cancer should see their doctor right away.

• Cancer-related checkup
For people aged 20 or older having periodic health exams, a cancer-related checkup should include health counseling, and depending on a person's age and gender, might include exams for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes, and ovaries, as well as for some non-malignant (non-cancerous) diseases. Special tests for certain cancer sites are recommended as outlined below.

• Breast cancer - Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.

• Colon and rectal cancer - Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should use one of the screening tests below.

– Tests that find polyps and cancer
   • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
   • Colonoscopy every 10 years
   • Double contrast barium enema every 5 years
   • CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) 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

   • Cervical cancer - All women should begin cervical cancer screening about 3 years after they begin having vaginal intercourse, but no later than when they are 21 years old. Screening should be done every year with the regular Pap test or every 2 years using the newer liquid-based Pap test.

• Endometrial (uterine) cancer - The American Cancer Society recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be informed about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer, and strongly encouraged to report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctors. For women with or at high risk for hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), annual screening should be offered for endometrial cancer with endometrial biopsy beginning at age 35.

• Prostate cancer - Both the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal examination (DRE) should be offered annually, beginning at age 50, to men who have at least a 10-year life expectancy.
References Here

A colonoscopy is the best test that exists for finding and removing colorectal cancer and polyps. Any polyps that are found are removed are sent to a lab for testing. If a polyp can’t be removed, a sample of tissue is taken to insure no cancer. The polyp may be needed to be removed later during surgery if pre-malignant.

Upper endoscopy enables Dr. Thomae to look inside the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The procedure might be used to discover the reason for swallowing difficulties, nausea, vomiting, reflux, bleeding, indigestion, abdominal pain, or chest pain. Upper endoscopy is also called EGD, which stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (eh-SAH-fuh-goh-GAS-troh-doo-AH-duh-NAH-skuh-pee)..

Lower GI Endoscopy allows Dr. Thomae to examine your lower GI tract. Your entire colon and rectum can be examined, or just the rectum and sigmoid colon can be examined. It helps to diagnose inflammation of the colon. It can be used to remove growths from the wall of the digestive tract. It can be used to take a sample of tissue for later study. It can pinpoint causes of bleeding or pain. It can also help detect colon or rectal cancer.

This test is similar to a colonoscopy, but focuses only on the sigmoid colon and rectum.

Upper GI Endoscopy allows Dr. Thomae to examine your upper GI tract. The esophagus, stomach, and duodenum make up the upper GI Tract. Upper GI endoscopy helps diagnose ulcers, gastritis, growths, causes of bleeding or pain, and cancer. It may detect the prescence of a type of bacteria that causes ulcers. It is also used for taking a sample of tissue. Foreign objects or growths can be removed. Bleeding can be stopped, and narrowed areas can be opened.

Biopsies: The removal of cells or tissues for examination by Dr. Thomae. The doctor may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different types of biopsy procedures.

As part of Cancer screening and preventive care, Dr. Thomae performs a procedure in which part or all of a suspicious breast growth is removed and examined, usually for the presence of cancer. The growth sample is suctioned out through a needle or cut out using a surgical procedure. The sample is then examined and evaluated under a microscope by a pathologist to identify non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) tissue...

Latest technology of upper GI diagnosis.  A small pill with multiple camera’s can see the inside of the intestine, make diagnoses that were near impossible for the last 100 years.  This technology is easy, accurate, and paid by insurance companies.  No preparation.  Results in < 1 day.

Latest technology  in esophageal reflux diagnosis.  Never before has there been a technology that allows a small, safe computer chip placed safely along the surface of your esophagus give accurate readings on the severity and diagnosis of “Heart burn”.  Used for the more difficult reflux patients who have not responded to medications.