AdventHealth

The information on this website is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis, and medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please talk to your doctor before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or starting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. If you think this is a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately. AdventHealth reserves the right to add, remove, or edit content from this page at its sole discretion. Privacy Policy.

Take Charge of Your Health

Or call us at 800-934-5175.

March is Colorectal Awareness Month

Be proactive about your digestive health and get screened early for colorectal cancer. It takes very little time and could easily save your life.

There’s a reason preventive screenings are so important. In fact, here are two: Colorectal cancer is now the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in America. And more than 90% of those cases are curable if diagnosed early. Isn’t it amazing how one little test can make such a big difference in your life? Please make sure to schedule your exam if you haven’t already.

Trusting your health to the specialists at AdventHealth makes sense. Our doctors are among the best and brightest in the nation, focusing on continued education that keeps them current on the latest breakthroughs and state-of-the-art technologies in colorectal care. You deserve only the best when it comes to your health.

In Good Hands
for Great Health

Taking Action Earlier

45 is the new 50 when it comes to colorectal health. That's the recommended age to begin colon cancer screenings. This video reminds us to celebrate living our best lives by taking the best care of our bodies — and to always do everything we can to prevent unnecessary illness.

The Baby Place Waterman

The Power to Stay Informed

Knowledge is power — especially when it can protect your health and well-being. This guide on colon cancer was created to educate and empower you by answering the following questions:

• What are the symptoms of colon cancer? 
• How can I reduce my chance of developing colon cancer? 
• Exactly how invasive is a colonoscopy? 
• What’s the best treatment method?

A Procedure for Peace of Mind

Our expert team of doctors and nurses comes to work every day with the same goal in mind: Making sure you feel confident with your treatment and comfortable during your stay. And when scheduling a colonoscopy, know you won’t be here for long. It’s a simple outpatient procedure that usually takes just an hour.

• All clothing/jewelry must be removed, and you’ll be given a gown.
• A relaxing sedative will make you drowsy or fully asleep.
• You’ll be asked to lay on your left side with your knees pulled up to your chest.
• An injection of air into the bowel will help your doctor get a clear picture.
• A water jet and/or suction device may be used for cleaning purposes.
• The doctor will take photos of your colon and typically remove any polyps (large polyps may be left until a follow-up procedure can be scheduled).

• You’ll be taken to a supervised recovery room, where you’ll stay until you’re feeling alert and your blood pressure and pulse are stable.
• The doctor may discuss your results with you or schedule a follow-up visit.
• When you’re ready, you’ll be released to the family member or friend you’ve designated to drive you home.
• You can eat anything you like after your colonoscopy, but may want to begin with a small, bland meal.
• Be sure to drink plenty of fluids but avoid alcohol for 24 hours.
• Please note that if you suffer from Type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or Lynch syndrome — or have a personal/family history of polyps — you have a higher risk of colorectal cancer and should plan for a screening earlier than the typical age of 45.

• For a proper examination, the colon must be clean.
• You’ll need to follow a strict liquid diet before the procedure.
• You may also be asked to drink a special fluid to flush your system.

After Your Colonoscopy

During Your Colonoscopy

Before Your Colonoscopy

Whole-person care empowers you to take your health into your own hands. Going beyond the traditional, you’ll have access to multiple programs and resources that target long-lasting lifestyle changes, with emphasis on diet and exercise to nourish your sustained well-being. It’s all about making you feel whole again — in body, mind and spirit.

Our expert doctors and nurses are nationally acclaimed as thought leaders, dedicated to improving the level of digestive care for our patients.

On a Mission to Advance Digestive Care

#1 Hospital in Greater Orlando

AdventHealth Orlando is recognized as the #1 hospital in Greater Orlando by U.S. News & World Report.

Nationally Recognized for Patient Safety

AdventHealth is recognized as one of America’s highest-rated hospitals for patient safety by The Leapfrog Group.

AdventHealth Orlando is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s best hospitals for gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery.

Best Regional Hospital

AdventHealth Orlando's rectal cancer program has received a three-year certification by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC). As one of the first hospital systems in the nation to receive it, this accreditation was developed through a collaboration between the Optimizing the Surgical Treatment of Rectal Cancer (OSTRiCh) Consortium and the Commission on Cancer (CoC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons.

National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer

Best Regional Hospital

AdventHealth Orlando is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's best hospitals for colon cancer surgery.