- Are you over 50 years old?
- Is there a history of colon cancer in your family?
- Have you never been screened for colon cancer?
- Do you suffer from unexplained weight loss, abdominal discomfort, and irregular bowel movements?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you need a colon cancer screening.
Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death in South Carolina . . . but it is preventable with colonoscopy screenings. In most cases it can be detected in early, more treatable stages through screenings which BCH offers in its Endoscopy Suite.
BCH continues to develop its comprehensive Endoscopy Suite to assist us in delivering the patient-centered care our community needs. Our attending physician, Dr. Afsar Waraich, specializes in gastroenterology, and his nursing staff is specifically trained in endoscopy procedures. Patients are provided privacy, comfort, and efficient service.
Many Americans have gastrointestinal problems ranging from heartburn to swallowing difficulties and cancer. Chances are that you will experience some form of gastrointestinal distress during your lifetime. Our endoscopy unit provides services that diagnose and treat a variety of gastrointestinal disorders.
Barnwell County Hospital’s modern endoscopy suite utilizes some of the newest medical equipment in the Central Savannah River Area.
We are one of a handful of rural hospitals in South Carolina that support a full-time gastroenterologist — Dr. Waraich — who provides a full-range of services.
Our state-of-the-art equipment combined with the skills of Dr. Waraich supported by a caring staff allow complex endoscopic procedures to be performed with a personal touch. Close coordination and communication with local physicians leads to timely results that are sent to your family physician immediately.
Our specialties are EGDs and colonoscopies. The EGD procedure allows for viewing of the upper interior of the digestive tract, while the colonoscopy procedure allows for viewing of the lower tract.
An upper endoscopy, also known as an esophagastroduodenoscopy (EGD), is a procedure with a flexible scope used to view the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This procedure diagnoses or treats medical conditions such as:
- Swallowing problems
- Removing obstruction
- Stomach ulcers
- GERD ( Heartburn)
- Hiatal Hernia
- Esophageal varices
A lower endoscopy, also known as a colonoscopy, is a procedure with a flexible scope used to view the colon and rectum. This procedure diagnoses or treats medical conditions such as:
- Colon Cancer
- Removing polyps
- Diverticulitis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Hemorrhoids
During these procedures, specialized equipment is used to take biopsies, remove polyps, diagnose cancer and perform other procedures related to the digestive system. All images are displayed on a computer monitor and may be digitally printed on command. A copy of these images are provided to you that day.
When you walk into the BCH Endoscopy Suite, you have the confidence of receiving care from our physicians, specially trained RNs, certified and accredited surgical technicians, and a nurse anesthetist.