Wellstar Physicians Named as “Top Doctors” in Atlanta Magazine’s 2021 List

For many people, talking about colon health can be a little uncomfortable. However, medical issues don’t just go away if you ignore them.

Being proactive about your well-being with preventative care can help catch colorectal cancer or another serious condition early, often before it becomes a bigger problem.

Wellstar is committed to keeping your colon healthy with preventative screenings and expert care, so you can continue to live well.

Catch colon cancer early

Early detection is the best prevention, especially when it comes to colon cancer. If caught early, colorectal cancer has a survival rate of 91%.

“Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, so it’s very important that everyone gets screened,” said Wellstar Gastroenterologist Dr. Cameron Body. “For an average risk person, screenings should begin at age 45.”

Those with a higher risk or a family history of colorectal cancer may need to start screening sooner. Partner with your provider to create a personalized screening plan—and stick with it to stay ahead of the disease.

“Recently, colon cancer has been a major trending topic in public discourse, and it has been impacting younger individuals each year. It is important to start colon cancer screening at the age of 45 or sooner if you have a family history of colon cancer,” said Wellstar Gastroenterologist Dr. Shani Clay. “This is a preventable disease, so please speak with your primary care clinician or gastroenterologist to help get you screened. Colonoscopies can help prevent colon cancer, diagnose and help direct early treatment if you are diagnosed.”

The death rate for colon cancer in older adults has been decreasing for the past several decades due to screenings, according to the American Cancer Society. Screenings can identify polyps before they become cancerous and can catch cancer earlier when it is more easily treatable. However, in people under 55, death rates from colon cancer have been increasing by about 1% per year since the mid-2000s.

Why colonoscopies work

During a colonoscopy, a Wellstar gastroenterologist will view the inside of your colon and look for polyps or any other abnormal tissue that could be cancerous. This preventative testing is key to catching colorectal issues at the start.

“A colonoscopy is the gold standard when screening for colon cancer. The procedure itself is not painful, and we make sure you’re comfortable throughout the process,” Dr. Body said. “The goal is to do a high-quality exam with a good prep to find polyps when they’re small and get them removed to minimize the risk of them subsequently developing into cancer.”

Polyps take about five to 15 years to evolve into an invasive cancer, according to Dr. Carmen Klass, oncologist and hematologist with Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers, a care partner of Wellstar.

“If you have a colonoscopy every five to 10 years, they can remove the polyp and it will never be declared an invasive cancer,” Dr. Klass said. “In fact, if all Americans did their screening colonoscopies every five to 10 years, the death rate for colorectal cancer would drop by 50%.”

See how colorectal cancer screening saves lives.

Signs of colorectal cancer

• Colon cancer is typically discovered when a patient has a colonoscopy, but it’s important to watch for these warning signs:
• A change in your bowel habits, such as persistent diarrhea or constipation
• Bloody stools or rectal bleeding
• Abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas and pain
• Feeling like you are unable to empty your bowels completely
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your care team right away.

Colorectal cancer care at Wellstar

If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, count on Wellstar for comprehensive, personalized care. Our specialists will work together with you to form a tailored treatment plan and offer support every step of the way.

“When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, we walk with them and guide them on this difficult journey,” Dr. Klass said, sharing how Wellstar provides compassionate care.

Wellstar offers medical expertise close to home, clinical trials and state-of-the-art surgical procedures to treat colorectal cancer. We also have a multidisciplinary gastrointestinal (GI) tumor board that diagnoses and creates treatment plans collaboratively.

Along with cancer surgeons, medical oncologists and other experts, our care team also includes nurse navigators, dietitians, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors to provide complete care and support.

Learn how Wellstar cares for colorectal cancer.

Get answers with genetic testing

Whether you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or are concerned about the chance of developing it, genetic testing can help you understand your risk of getting the disease.

If your parent, sibling or child has had colorectal cancer, you are two to three times more likely to develop the condition compared with someone with no family history. Our genetic counselors can help determine how genetic testing could benefit you and your family.

“Wellstar offers support from genetic counselors to help keep other family members safe in the future,” Dr. Klass said.

Find out if genetic testing is right for you.