Article Category: Highlights
Importance of Colon Cancer Screening
Why early detection saves lives
Published on March 17, 2025
Last updated 03:40 PM March 16, 2026
As a board-certified gastroenterologist, I am often tasked with the responsibility of breaking bad news in the form of relaying a newfound colorectal (colon) cancer diagnosis. I don’t take this obligation lightly as I know my next discussion with the patient will greatly impact their life.
Colon cancer is a malignant tumor originating from the colon or rectum. Often there are no signs, but colon cancer can present with rectal bleeding, weight loss, abdominal pain, change in bowel patterns and loss of appetite. Unlike many other cancers, however, most colon cancers can be diagnosed early and even prevented with the appropriate screening.
Related Articles
Highlights
Commemorate Cancer Survivors Day with Wellstar
Wellstar supports people with cancer throughout their journeys, from early screenings to diagnosis to treatment. But our encouragement and dedication to delivering world-class, compassionate care doesn’t end in remission.
Across our system, Wellstar honors the bravery and strength of survivors every day, rejoicing in each milestone. This National Cancer Survivors Day, we are proud to pay tribute to the people who have conquered cancer and offer hope to those still fighting. This year’s Cancer Survivors Day theme—Saddle Up for Survivorship—exemplifies our commitment to being a steadfast source of encouragement for cancer survivors and fighters across Georgia.
Several Wellstar facilities will host events—and you can be a part of the celebration!
Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers in Cartersville
June 5
1 PM to 3 PM
65 Cloverleaf Drive, Cartersville
Contact Mary Ellen Smither at [email protected] or (678) 858-1146.
Wellstar Cobb Medical Center
June 5
12 to 2 PM
4040 Hospital West Drive, Austell
The event will be held in the parking lot across from Tranquility Hospice located at 4040 Hospital West Drive.
Contact Ashley Dapremont at [email protected] or (470) 732-4523.
Wellstar Douglas Medical Center
June 6
11 AM to 1 PM
6167 Prestley Mill Road, Douglasville
Douglasville First United Methodist Church
Contact Diane Harris at [email protected] or (470) 644-5411.
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center
June 5
11:30 AM to 2:30 PM
320 Kennestone Hospital Blvd., Marietta
Cancer Center
Contact Leena Augustine at [email protected].
Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center
June 6
2 to 4 PM
3000 Hospital Blvd., Roswell
Main lobby in hospital
Contact Sarah Bentley at [email protected] or (770) 751-2556.
Wellstar Paulding Medical Center
June 7
2 to 4 PM
144 Bill Carruth Parkway, Hiram
Atrium
Contact Kellie Mitchell at [email protected] or (470) 644-8106.
Wellstar Spalding Medical Center
June 5
10 AM to 12 PM
608 South 8th St., Griffin
Cancer Center
Contact Sherry Connell at [email protected] or (470) 935-5526.
Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center
June 5
10 AM to 12 PM
111 Medical Drive, LaGrange
Enoch Callaway Cancer Center
Contact Stephanie Hand at [email protected].
Newsroom
Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center Expected to Open in Late August
Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center is nearing completion and is scheduled to open Aug. 26. The six-story, 100-bed hospital is located at 5000 Gateway Blvd. in Grovetown.
“It’s phenomenal to get to this level of substantial completion with construction because it means we’re that much closer to increasing access to care across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA),” said Ralph Turner, president of Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center.
The new medical center expands healthcare services already offered in Augusta for more rural counties like McDuffie and provides additional learning opportunities for students at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Students will train using the latest technologies in healthcare.
Highlights
Wellstar Kennestone Earns 5 STS Three-Star Ratings, Joining the Nation’s Elite Cardiac Surgery Programs
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center has earned three-star ratings—the highest ratings possible—in five cardiac surgery categories from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), placing it among a select group of programs nationwide achieving top-tier performance across a broad range of procedures and making it the only program in Georgia to achieve this distinction.
The STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) star rating system is one of the most comprehensive and respected measures of quality in the industry, evaluating outcomes from hundreds of hospitals in North America and serving as a leading benchmark for clinical excellence. A three-star rating indicates performance that is significantly better than the national average in key measures such as survival, complication rates and adherence to evidence-based care.
“The STS three-star rating is the highest distinction a cardiac surgery program can earn, and even a single category is rare. Receiving it in five is extraordinary, and it’s a direct reflection of the trust patients place in Wellstar every day,” said Ketul J. Patel, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. “Our physicians, clinicians and care teams are setting a national standard for quality and safety, making Wellstar a center of excellence for cardiovascular care. This is one of the many ways that Wellstar’s care teams are improving health outcomes in the Southeast.”
In the previous reporting cycle, the program achieved three-star ratings in four categories—an already rare and notable achievement for cardiac surgery programs nationwide. Building on that success, Wellstar Kennestone has now expanded to five three-star categories, underscoring sustained excellence and a continued commitment to advancing high-quality cardiac care.
Wellstar Kennestone received a three-star overall composite quality rating in five of six evaluated procedure categories:
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
- Aortic valve replacement (AVR)
- Combined AVR and CABG procedures
- Mitral valve repair and replacement (MVRR)
- Multi-procedural cardiac surgery
The program also earned a two-star rating in the combined MVRR and CABG category.
“For patients, these ratings translate to better outcomes, fewer complications, improved survival and a smoother recovery after major heart surgery,” said Dr. Barry Mangel, chief of clinical service lines at Wellstar. “Achieving and sustaining this level of performance across multiple complex procedures is extraordinarily rare and reflects a deeply coordinated, team-based approach to care.”
Wellstar Kennestone’s cardiac surgery program brings together a highly integrated team of cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, intensivists, perfusionists, advanced practice providers, nurses, technologists and support team members. This collaborative approach enables the team to deliver consistently high-quality, coordinated care for patients with even the most complex heart conditions.
These results reflect a sustained commitment to clinical excellence, continuous improvement and delivering the highest standard of cardiovascular care to every person, every time.
For more information about heart care at Wellstar, visit wellstar.org/heartcare.