GI Saturdays at Erlanger East Hospital

Physicians with Erlanger Gastroenterology recently started offering colonoscopies at Erlanger East Hospital on Saturday mornings. Erlanger’s next series of weekend colonoscopy appointments is scheduled for Saturday, March 3.

According to Dr. Arslan Kahloon, gastroenterologist with Erlanger Gastroenterology, this simple screening for colon cancer is typically recommended for those age 50 and older. Used to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum, a colonoscopy can help physicians determine causes of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, chronic constipation or diarrhea and other intestinal problems.

Although a typical colonoscopy can take between 30 minutes to an hour, preparation for this exam requires fasting and thoroughly cleansing the bowel the night before. Because of this pre-exam process, most individuals take the following day off to undergo their colonoscopy procedure. And many individuals postpone or forego the procedure altogether due to lost work hours.

“This is why we decided to offer this procedure on weekends, making it easier for people to do their prep work on Friday nights, have their colonoscopies on Saturday mornings and not miss any work,” Erlanger gastroenterologist Dr. Arslan Kahloon said. “More than 90 percent of colon cancers are curable when detected early, so primary physicians and GI specialists like myself tell those age 50 or older: no more excuses.”

Since the practice began offering weekend colonoscopies at Erlanger East Hospital, Dr. Kahloon said they have filled up every slot available on Saturday mornings, “so we know we are meeting the demand for this important service in our community.”

To schedule an appointment for one of Erlanger’s upcoming Saturday colonoscopy exams, call (423) 778-4830. To learn more about Erlanger Gastroenterology, visit erlanger.org/gi.