Gastroenterology Department - Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center - Gilbert

The colorectal cancer risk assessment tool was designed for doctors and other health care providers to use with their patients. The tool estimates the risk of colorectal cancer and the lifetime risk.

A colonoscopy procedure consists of a long, firm and flexible plastic tube with a tiny digital camera and light at one end. A colonoscopy can be used to look for colon polyps or bowel cancer and to help diagnose different symptoms.

Endoscopic or endoscopy is an examination of the inside of the body by using a light, flexible instrument called an endoscope.

Crohn's disease is one type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Environmental, immunologic, and bacterial factors are known to cause an immune response. This results in an inflammatory reaction of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small bowel, large bowel, or rectum.

Barrett's esophagus is a potentially serious complication of GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Ulcerative colitis or commonly called colitis, is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which the inner lining of the large intestine (colon or bowel) and rectum become inflamed. Inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower (sigmoid) intestine and spreads upward to the entire colon.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when reflux occurs regularly, with increased frequency and duration of reflux episodes. Reflux causes bothersome symptoms. Many people experience reflux-episodes when the stomach’s content wash back up in the stomach or mouth. In most people, these episodes are brief and do not cause ongoing problems.

About one in 10 Americans develops at least one ulcer during his or her lifetime. An ulcer is an open sore, or lesion, usually found on the skin or mucous membrane areas of the body.