Colorectal Screening

Colon Cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. If you are 45 or older, getting screened could save your life! Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps in the colon or rectum. Some polyps can turn into cancer over a period of time. Screening tests can find polyps, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.

About

Screening Saves Lives

Don’t Wait for Symptoms to Appear

Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. Early detection is the key to safeguarding your health.

Cayuga Health empowers you to take proactive steps in your colorectal health journey by offering a range of screening options. To select the most appropriate test, you will want to consider various factors such as personal risk, preferences, and medical history. Our knowledgeable team can guide you through these choices to ensure that you are informed and comfortable with your screening plan.

Our state-of-the-art Cayuga Endoscopy Center in northeast Ithaca, alongside Schuyler Hospital’s recently enhanced surgical suites, provide comprehensive, compassionate care. Our facilities are equipped with advanced technology and staffed by a team of board-certified gastroenterologists, surgeons, and dedicated healthcare professionals. Our aim is to offer a comfortable, private, and stress-free environment for everyone.

We invite you to discuss your screening options with our specialists, who can help tailor a screening strategy that best fits your needs. Early detection is key in the fight against colorectal cancer, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Schedule Your Screening Today

Patient safety is our top priority. Our experienced board-certified gastroenterologists, assisted by a team of registered nurses, technicians, and staff the Cayuga Endoscopy Center and Schuyler Surgical Suite, provide this region with comprehensive management of all diseases of the digestive tract and liver.

Our doctors completed their fellowship training in gastroenterology at four of the nation’s top medical centers, including Massachusetts General Hospital (the largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School), Medical College of Virginia, and The Cleveland Clinic. They are assisted in patient care by certified technicians and registered nurses, many of whom are certified by the Society for Gastrointestinal Nurses Association (SGNA).

The team of gastroenterology care providers is deeply committed to excellent customer service for each and every patient in our care. Our doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff understand that patients undergoing an endoscopy procedure are often anxious. We are committed to making your visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Our caregivers emphasize clinical excellence, compassion, and patient confidentiality. We will ask you for feedback on the care you received so that we can continually improve our service.

  • Colorectal cancer can start with no symptoms.
  • Precancerous polyps and early-stage colorectal cancer don’t always have symptoms, especially at first. This means that you could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it.
  • If you are 45 or older, getting screened could save your life!
    • Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps in the colon or rectum. A polyp is a growth that shouldn’t be there.
    • Some polyps can turn into cancer over a period of time.
    • Screening tests can find polyps, so they can be removed BEFORE they turn into cancer.
    • Screening tests can also find cancer early. When found early, the chance of being cured is good.
  • Limit your intake of red meats (eat more chicken and turkey breast)
  • Limit your intake of processed meats (stay away from bologna)
  • Increase your activity (walking is an excellent way to exercise)
  • Maintain a healthy weight (eat in moderation, obesity increases your risk of colorectal cancer)
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Do not use tobacco products (nyquits.com)
  • Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
  • It affects both men and women equally.
  • If detected and treated early, colon cancer is up to 90% curable.
  • There are currently more than one million colon cancer survivors in the United States.

Colon cancer can occur in anyone and does not discriminate. However, studies show that individuals in the following categories may be at higher risk:

  • Those individuals with a personal or immediate family history of colon cancer or colon polyps
  • People age 50 or older
  • Individuals with a history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

RESOURCES

Frequently Asked Questions

The dense components of very high roughage foods such as seeds and some skins tend to layer out at the bottom of intestinal segments and are more resistant to being flushed out by laxatives. In most cases, the preparation fluids will flush out the material anyway, but you’ll have optimal preparation–and the gastroenterologist will have the clearest view–if you avoid these foods for a few days. We understand that it’s likely you will inadvertently eat some of these items, and that’s okay. However, it really is best to completely avoid the smallest, densest seeds such as those found in tomatoes, kiwi fruit, blackberries, and raspberries.

Iron supplements can have a constipating effect, making it more difficult for the laxative to clean out the colon. In addition, retained iron can stain the walls of the colon or the fluid, which make it harder to view the colon walls.

Even after an excellent preparation for colonoscopy, a certain amount of fluid and mucous adheres to the walls of the colon. These will be tinted red or purple by natural and artificial dyes in beets, fruit drinks, and Jello, which can give an appearance similar to blood. This makes it more difficult to reach clear conclusions during the procedure.

In the days leading up to the formal preparation day, stock up on the clear liquids that appeal to you most and have them well chilled (as appropriate). Most people find they are much less hungry than they expected during preparation day. Take the laxative recommended by your gastroenterologist at home, as the time it takes to “kick in” varies greatly “ from 30 minutes to 4 hours. Drink extra fluids. Plan to do light activities such as reading, watching TV, or simple chores at home.

The sugar and protein contained in fluids, including Jello, can sustain blood sugar very well for most people. In many cases, patients who have had some trouble with hypoglycemia in the past typically find that their preparation for the procedure goes better than expected because they are drinking lots of fluids and they are having a restful day, all of which helps them avoid the circumstances that bring on their symptoms. On very rare occasions, when someone does have trouble, we can design a customized eating plan during an office appointment to get through a successful colonoscopy preparation.

Advice about stopping and restarting oral anti-coagulants is individualized and needs to be discussed directly with your doctor. In most cases, an office appointment will be scheduled to review the specifics of your medical history before making the final plan.

If you are taking a medication to treat a specific medical problem, you will need to review your history during an appointment with your doctor. Together you can determine a plan tailored to your individual circumstances.

If you believe you have significant constipation or have been told that your preparation for a prior colonoscopy wasn’t optimal, some extra preparation may be advisable. Talk this over with your doctor during your office appointment prior to your procedure.

In most cases, yes, routine medications can be taken with a glass of water up to three hours prior to an endoscopic procedure. This may mean waking up earlier than usual to take your medications with clear liquid (water, coffee or tea without cream, or non-red, pulp-free juice).

Yes, you may continue to have water, soda, juices that are not red or purple, tea, and black coffee up to 3 hours before the procedure.

In general, the sedatives used for these procedures do not have any effect on the body’s handling (metabolism) of maintenance medications for most chronic conditions. However, if you are taking sleeping, anti-anxiety, or psychiatric medications, your system may be somewhat more resistant to the sedatives. The doctors will adjust the dose of the sedative as needed.

what our patients are saying

“I have been a Hemo dialysis patient for almost Five years. Prior to dialysis and during dialysis I have had several trips to the ER, due to other health issues & was admitted to CMC more than a few times. Each and every time I’ve been there, whether in patient or out, I have been treated with respect, professionalism, and efficiency. I give this hospital 2 thumbs up!! Thank you CMC for taking care of me all these years!!”

“I have had many occasions visiting CMC for myself and family. We have never had a bad experience there at all. Last October I had surgery and the nurses were amazing especially my night nurse. Thank you to all CMC staff for doing what you do every day with a smile.”

“I have to say the last couple visits that I’ve had here have been wonderful. About a month ago I had an EGD and the staff were amazing! Explained everything in detail and made me feel at ease. I was very nervous and the nurse I had was very comforting. Tonight we had to take my son to the emergency room and they were awesome with him! We got right in. “

“The staff and accommodations at Cayuga Birthplace are amazing!!! This is what it I imagine it would feel like to be a celebrity getting VIP treatment. I wish I could stay longer – even the food options are 5 Star! The amenities are great. Everything is clean and designed beautifully. Not a single complaint, only praises!”