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Introducing the Head of Gastroenterology: Dr. Pushpjeet Kanwar

Dopson Family Medical Center – is proud to announce the arrival of Dr. Pushpjeet Kanwar! He’s leading the Gastroenterology/Hepatology department, and he and his team can treat a wide variety of gastrointestinal conditions.

While his team can help treat GI conditions ranging from gastritis to Celiac disease and more, today we want to focus on one of the most pervasive GI conditions affecting millions of Americans — colon cancer. Dr. Kanwar and his team are experts in colon cancer screening. If you are 45 or older, or have a history of colon cancer or polyps in your family, you should schedule your next screening today!

Risks of Colon Cancer

Knowing the risks of colon cancer should be enough to motivate you to get your regular screening. It is the third most frequently diagnosed form of cancer in men and women over 50, and it is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 23 for men and 1 in 25 for women. While it’s a common issue for so many of us, the good news is that it’s actually quite preventable. And as we know, early detection can make a HUGE difference — 90 percent of cases can be prevented if caught early enough.

Symptoms

Colon cancer doesn’t usually have symptoms in the early stages, so a colonoscopy is the only way to find it early. However, there are some symptoms to look out for.

  • A persistent change in your bowel habits
  • Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
  • Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
  • A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss

Again, many people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages. A colonoscopy can prevent colorectal cancer because it detects precancerous growths, called polyps, in the colon and rectum. Most polyps do not become cancerous, but removing them can prevent it from occurring.

Screening Recommendations

The American Cancer Society now recommends that colorectal cancer screenings begin at age 45, even without symptoms or family history. And if you do have a family history of colon cancer, you should start at the age of 40. When we find colon cancer in the early stages, there is a better chance of a cure, treatment will be easier, and recovery will be faster.

Please call our office at (904) 259-7815 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kanwar. We look forward to serving you!