For all you cherish, a screening colonoscopy matters

Don't let colon cancer get a head start

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Nuvance Health Digestive Health Institute knows it’s easy to put off a screening colonoscopy, but a screening can catch colon cancer early when it’s most treatable. Not only does a colonoscopy screen for colorectal cancer, but it’s also one of the only screenings that can prevent colon cancer by finding and removing polyps before they become cancerous.

To help set your mind at ease, our team of gastroenterology specialists is with you every step of the way to make you as comfortable as possible. Because what matters to you, matters to us.

Reasons to get a screening colonoscopy


  • Screen for colorectal cancer

    If you’re 45 or older and have no high-risk factors for colorectal cancer, we recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years to screen for cancer.


  • Monitor for new polyps

    We might recommend a follow-up colonoscopy to look for and remove additional polyps if you’ve been diagnosed with them in the past.


  • Detect intestinal conditions

    Explore possible causes of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, chronic constipation or diarrhea and other intestinal discomforts. 

What to expect

Before your colonoscopy, you will be asked to follow a clear liquid diet and drink a preparation to empty your colon 24 hours before your colonoscopy. This ensures our specialists can get a clear view during your exam.

During your exam, a long, flexible tube is inserted into the rectum. A camera at the tip of the tube allows our specialists to view the inside of the entire colon to check for polyps.

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What if something is detected?

If we detect a suspicious polyp during a colonoscopy, we remove it. For larger polyps or ones that extend beyond surface layers of tissue, we might take a sample (biopsy). Our gastrointestinal pathologists will perform a biopsy to determine whether it’s cancer and, if so, the severity.

Treatment options will vary based on your results; however, Nuvance Health is here for you.

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Colorectal Cancer Care at Nuvance Health Cancer Institute

If a colon cancer diagnosis is confirmed, the team of colon cancer specialists, including, colorectal surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and other doctors, will work together to tailor your care and treatment plan.

Our cancer nurse navigators are here for you through every step of your care experience. They reach out to you early on to answer questions and provide emotional support. Nurse navigators also help coordinate appointments and explain what to expect so that you can focus on healing.

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