​If you are near the age of 45, don't delay in getting this vital screening

 ROME, Ga., April 1, 2025 – Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and more young people are being diagnosed each year.

 You're at higher risk if you:

• Have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• Are between the ages of 45 to 75
• Have a family history of colon cancer or precancerous polyps

 “Unfortunately, there is a real trend of developing colon cancer or advanced colon polyps at ages younger than we have seen historically," said Whitney Jennings, MD, a gastroenterologist with Harbin Clinic. “Even patients who are otherwise healthy are not immune from this development."

 Jennings said it is recommended that colon cancer screening start at age 45 for all average risk patients and even earlier for those with a family history of colon cancer.

“Thankfully, when identified early, colon cancer is highly treatable," Jennings said. “Colon polyps, even most of the advanced polyps, can be removed at the time of your colonoscopy."

He said a colonoscopy is a safe and painless procedure that typically lasts between 20 and 30 minutes.

“While we certainly can detect cancer with a colonoscopy and direct towards curative treatment, I would much rather prevent colon cancer altogether by removing pre-cancerous polyps during a colonoscopy," Jennings added.

Maranda Posey, FNP-BC, with Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center Rural Health Clinic in Centre, Alabama, said maintaining good overall health can play a role in preventing colon cancer, including:

• Eating more fiber, including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, lentils, quinoa, among others
• Cooking meals at home, and baking food instead of frying or using butter
• Walking as much as possible
• Planning ahead and packing healthy snacks and fruit when you leave your home
• Drinking more water 

There are some common warning signs to look for, including blood in your stools, changes in or inconsistent bowel movements or new or unexplained abdominal pain.

Visit bit.ly/3DiufyX to determine your colon cancer risk and to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. 

About Atrium Health Floyd
The Atrium Health Floyd family of health care services is a leading medical provider and economic force in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd is part of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Floyd strategically combined with Harbin Clinic in 2024 and employs more than 5,200 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at four facilities: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center – a 361-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia; and Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; and Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health, also in Rome. Together, Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic provide primary care, specialty care and urgent care throughout northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd also operates a stand-alone emergency department in Chattooga County, the first such facility to be built from the ground-up in Georgia.

About Advocate Health 
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Advocate Health is nationally recognized for its expertise in heart and vascular, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs more than 160,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to redefining care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.