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Colon Cancer Prevention Center - Santa Maria, CA

Santa Maria Gastroenterologist Doctors for Colon Cancer Prevention

Type of Physician: Gastroenterologist

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated.

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Common Name: GI Doctor

Gastroenterologist Doctors in Santa Maria *

Stanford Liver Clinic
Aijaz Ahmed
525 E Plaza Dr
STE 307
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 434-3458

Atul B Vachhani MD
Thomas P Hsia
525 E Plaza Dr
STE 307
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-6581

Atul B Vachhani MD
Atul B Vachhani
525 E Plaza Dr
STE 307
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-6581

Benipal & Feldman MDs
Paramjit Benipal
116 S Palisade Dr
STE 210
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 347-7355

Bruce F Mize MD Inc
Paul Guarino
116 S Palisade Dr
STE 306
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 614-9880

Bruce F Mize MD Inc
Bruce F Mize
116 S Palisade Dr
STE 306
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 614-9880

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Steven W Carlson
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Gary L Cushing
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Jeffrey B Mundorf
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Vance D Rodgers
1551 Bishop St
STE 250
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 543-8822

Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast
Phillip M Colbert
77 Casa St
STE 108
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 541-6080

Central Coast Gastroenterology
Jonathan L Riegler
1255 Las Tablas Rd
STE STE 201
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-2434

Central Coast Gastroenterology
Paul D Wetzel
1255 Las Tablas Rd
STE STE 201
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-2434

Central Coast Gastroenterology
Daniel C Zovich
1255 Las Tablas Rd
STE STE 201
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-2434

GI Consultants
Thomas V Aguirre
2403 Castillo St
STE 201
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-3585

GI Consultants
Edward S Bentley
2403 Castillo St
STE 201
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-3585

Sansum Clinic
Vincent P Derosa
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Sansum Clinic
James V Egan
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Sansum Clinic
William V Hahn
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Sansum Clinic
John D Hobson
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Sansum Clinic
John L Petrini
317 W Pueblo St
Gastroenterology Dept
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 898-3120

Digestive Disease Consultants
William E Karnes
221 W Pueblo St
STE STE B
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-0024

Digestive Disease Consultants
Gary M VanDeventer
221 W Pueblo St
STE STE B
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-0024

Kaiser Permanente Buenaventura Medical Group
Bruce Greenwald
2601 E Main St
STE 102
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 477-6020

Island View Gastroenterology Associates
Stephen D Covington
168 N Brent St
STE 404
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 641-6525

Island View Gastroenterology Associates
Tesu Lin
168 N Brent St
STE 404
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 641-6525

Island View Gastroenterology Associates
Kip D Lyche
168 N Brent St
STE 404
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 641-6525

Island View Gastroenterology Associates
Charles L Menz
168 N Brent St
STE 404
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 641-6525

Island View Gastroenterology Associates
Benito A Pedraza
168 N Brent St
STE 404
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 641-6525

Island View Gastroenterology Associates
Julie M Winn
168 N Brent St
STE 404
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 641-6525

Rajeev R Manu MD
Rajeev R Manu
9870 Brimhall Rd
STE 100
Bakersfield, CA 93312
(661) 587-7611

Nandakumar Ravi MD
Nandakumar B Ravi
9870 Brimhall Rd
STE 100
Bakersfield, CA 93312
(661) 588-8725

Ishaan Kalha MD
Ishaan S Kalha
6001 B Truxtun Ave
Building B STE 240
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 325-0055

Gastroenterology Medical Group
Harpal A Bhaika
5959 Truxtun Ave
Ste 200 STE 200
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 324-1203

Gastroenterology Medical Group
Rabinder A Bhogal
5959 Truxtun Ave
Ste 200 STE 200
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 324-1203

Gastroenterology Medical Group
Tabassum A Chowdhury
5959 Truxtun Ave
Ste 200 STE 200
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 324-1203

Gastroenterology Medical Group
Robin Matuk
5959 Truxtun Ave
Ste 200 STE 200
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 324-1203

Digestive Disease Center
Love Dalal
1408 Commercial Way
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 327-4455

Digestive Disease Center
Ramesh C Gupta
1408 Commercial Way
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 327-4455

Digestive Disease Center
Ivaylo Vagliarsky
1408 Commercial Way
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 327-4455

Constante Abaya MD
Constante Abaya
1200 N Ventura Rd
STE C
Oxnard, CA 93030
(805) 983-0730

Santa Maria, California

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Colon Cancer Prevention

Introduction to colon cancer prevention

Cancer of the colon and the rectum (also known as colon cancer or colo-rectal cancer) is a malignant growth arising from the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Colo-rectal cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women in the United States.

The good news is that colo-rectal cancer is both curable and preventable if it is detected early and completely removed before the cancerous cells metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body. Colo-rectal cancer can be prevented by removing colo-rectal polyps before they grow and change into cancers, or by using natural substances or man-made chemicals to prevent the colo-rectal polyps from changing into cancer. (Using natural substances or chemicals to prevent cancer is called chemo-prevention).

Measures to prevent diseases usually fall into one of five categories of safety and effectiveness. These categories are:
  1. Measures that have scientifically-proven effectiveness and long-term safety
  2. Measures that probably are effective but may have long-term, adverse side effects
  3. Measures that probably are effective, and safe
  4. Measures that have been found to be ineffective
  5. Measures that have no scientific basis and no studies to measure effectiveness and safety

What measures to prevent colo-rectal cancer have proven effectiveness and long term safety?

Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy (along with digital rectal examination and stool occult blood testing) are the primary and most important tools for both preventing colo-rectal cancers and detecting early colo-rectal cancers.

Most colo-rectal cancers arise from colo-rectal polyps (small growths on the inner lining of the colon and the rectum). Even though colo-rectal polyps are initially benign, they can grow and change into c...

Recommended Reading Related to Colon Cancer Prevention

Colon Polyps »

What is a colon polyp?

Colon polyps are fleshy growths that occur on the inside (the lining) of the large intestine, also known as the colon. Polyps in the colon are extremely common, and their incidence increases as individuals get older. It is estimated that 50% of the people over the age of 60 will harbor at least one polyp. The significance of polyps is that we know that when certain types of polyps grow large enough, they can become cancerous, and, moreover, colon cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United Sates. Therefore, screening for colon polyps and removing them before they become cancerous should markedly reduce the incidence of colon cancer.

What types of polyps become cancerous?

The polyps that become cancerous are called adenomatous polyps or adenomas. Adenomas account for approximately 75% of all colon polyps. There are several subtypes of adenoma that differ prima...

Emergency Contact for Santa Maria

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Santa Maria Hospitals *

Marian Medical Center
1400 E Church St
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805)739-3000

Arroyo Grande Community Hospital
345 S Halcyon Rd
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805)489-4261

Lompoc Valley Medical Center
508 E Hickory Ave
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805)737-3300

French Hospital Medical Center
1911 Johnson Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)543-5353

Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center
1010 Murray Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805)546-7600

Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital
2050 Viborg Rd
Solvang, CA 93463
(805)688-6431

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