Welcome to our Patient Education page!

Colorectal cancer

Commonly called colon cancer – is preventable. The best way to beat it is to stop it before it starts. A gastroenterologist can perform a screening procedure to detect and remove precancerous polyps before they become malignant. More than 60% of cancer deaths could be avoided through regular screening. Colonoscopies save lives. The most effective screening method is a colonoscopy, a visual examination of the entire colon (large intestine) using a lighted, flexible endoscope. The procedure is painless and typically performed on an outpatient basis. (And it saves lives.)

What you should know about colon cancer:

• It affects women and men of all ethnicities.
• It’s the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.
• It’s most often found in people aged 50 and older.
• In its early stages, there are often no symptoms.

Symptoms

Early stage colon cancer may not present symptoms. However, symptoms of advanced stages include rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, change in bowel habits, abdominal cramping, decreased appetite or weight loss. If any of these signs occur at any age, evaluation with a gastroenterologist is critical to diagnose the condition. We have listed additional information in the side column of this page.

Other Gastrointestinal Concerns - Our team of specialists and staff strive to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with gastrointestinal diseases.  To assist you in achieving optimal health, we have listed some information regarding gastrointestinal conditions, procedures, and treatments available.