Colorectal Cancer Prevention & Screening Program

Rochester Regional Health’s Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Screening Program is dedicated to the education and prevention of colorectal cancer. Our board certified gastroenterologists work closely with experienced colorectal surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists to form a multidisciplinary team aimed at preventing and treating colorectal cancer.

What Is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, is cancer of the colon or rectum and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. With regular screenings, at least 60% of these deaths could be prevented.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Procedures

To aid in the prevention and early diagnosis of colorectal cancer, Rochester Regional Health’s colorectal screening clinic provides screening tests and procedures to detect polyps, lesions and other abnormalities that may develop into cancer.

Types of tests performed at our screening clinic include:

• Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) - This test is used to detect blood in the stool that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Samples from 1 to 3 bowel movements are collected and analyzed.
• Colonoscopy - A simple, routine and safe procedure performed under sedation in which your doctor uses a long tube with a light and camera to detect polyps in your colon. Abnormal growths and polyps can be removed or biopsied during the procedure.
• CT Virtual colonoscopy - An alternative to a colonoscopy, this test uses a special X-ray to obtain 3-D images of your colon and rectum. The images show any polyps or other abnormalities in the colon.
• Double contrast barium enema - An x-ray procedure in which your doctor administers an enema with a barium solution, which coats the colon and highlights any abnormalities.
  
  

Diagnosis

If you’ve been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, your doctor will order tests to determine the extent (stage) of your cancer. Staging helps determine what treatments are most appropriate for you.

• Stage 0: This is the earliest stage possible. Cancer hasn’t moved from where it started; it’s still restricted to the innermost lining of the colon.
• Stage I: Cancer has begun to spread, but is still in the inner lining.
• Stage II: Many of these cancers have grown through the wall of the colon and may extend into nearby tissue. They have not yet spread to the lymph nodes.
• Stage III: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes, but has not been carried to distant parts of the body.
• Stage IV: Cancer has been carried through the lymph system to distant parts of the body, most commonly
  lungs and liver.
  
  

Treatment Options for Colorectal Cancer

If caught early, colorectal cancer can be successfully treated. Your unique treatment will depend on factors such as your general health, the site of your tumor and the stage of diagnosis.

Treatment options offered by the experts at Rochester Regional Health include:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation Therapy

Learn more about colon and rectal cancer treatments available at Rochester Regional Health. 

Patient Resources

• Preventing Colorectal Cancer Infographic
• Do I need a GI Specialist? Quiz

The following organizations offer valuable information and resources for colon cancer to assist you or your loved one on your road to recovery.

• American Gastroenterological Association
• American College of Gastroenterology
• American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclaimer: The organizations and programs listed above are offered by the Rochester Regional Colorectal Cancer Prevention & Screening Program as a resource for patients and their families. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, and does not constitute a recommendation by the Rochester Regional Colorectal Cancer Prevention & Screening Program nor an assurance of the quality of information or services provided.