Early Detection Makes Colon Cancer Care Even More Effective

Getting a colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age either age 45, or earlier depending on your personal risk factors is one of the most effective ways to help prevent colon cancer. But what happens if a screening reveals that cancer is already present?

Colonoscopy: A Powerful Tool for Early Detection

A colon cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming as you face the unknown. It may help to know that today’s physicians have advanced tools and techniques that allow them to detect colon cancer earlier than ever before.

It’s never too late to take steps to protect your health. When colon cancer is diagnosed in its early stages, it is highly treatable, with a five-year survival rate of about 90%. That’s one reason AdventHealth physicians strongly encourage routine screening.

How Colonoscopy Screening Works

Colon cancer screening isn’t only for people who have symptoms or concerns. It’s just as important for people who feel healthy, since early-stage colon cancer often has no warning signs.

Doctors recommend adults receive their first colonoscopy around age 45. People at higher risk, including those with certain digestive conditions or a family history of colon cancer, may need to begin screening earlier.

A colonoscopy offers two important benefits: it can detect cancer early, and it can help prevent cancer altogether. Colon cancer often begins as polyps that grow slowly over several years. During a colonoscopy, a doctor uses a narrow, flexible tube to closely examine the colon and remove polyps before they can become cancerous. By getting a colonoscopy as a preventive measure, potential concerns can often be identified and addressed right away, helping reduce the risk of developing colon cancer in the future.

The procedure is performed under sedation, and most patients are comfortable and unaware during the exam. While a colonoscopy alone cannot confirm a cancer diagnosis, it can provide critical information that guides next steps, including lab testing when needed.

Colon Cancer Surgery: What to Expect

Treatment for colorectal cancer may involve radiation and chemotherapy, but surgery to remove the tumor is often a key part of care.

At AdventHealth, surgeons use minimally invasive and robotic-assisted approaches when appropriate. These techniques can offer benefits such as enhanced precision, improved visualization and smaller incisions, which may support a smoother recovery after surgery. If lab results indicate that cancer cells may have spread beyond the colon, surgery may be followed by additional treatment such as chemotherapy. After treatment, patients are monitored closely for several years to support healing and help detect any recurrence early.

Care That Supports Body, Mind and Spirit

Caring for the whole person is central to our mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ. From screening through recovery, AdventHealth care teams are committed to providing compassionate, personalized care so you feel supported every step of the way.

If you’re ready to take an important step in protecting your health, learn more about colon cancer screening and care at YourColonCheckUp.com.