Colorectal Cancer Screening with TidalHealth

BERLIN, Md. – In this week’s edition of TidalHealth, brought to you by TidalHealth, WMDT spoke with Kelly Ann Jiron, a gastrointestinal (GI) nurse coordinator, and Allison Devine, a registered nurse, both with the TidalHealth Atlantic GI Center.

Jaron and Devine spoke with us about colorectal cancer screenings and their important role in preserving colon health. They say patients aged 45 years or older should start their screenings now, even if there are no symptoms present.

“In some cases, some risk factors such as family history, history of irritable bowel syndrome, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and a high intake of processed meats as well as alcohol can all contribute to colorectal cancer,” Devine said.

Moreover, with TidalHealth’s Open Access Program, scheduling colorectal screens is even easier. Through the program, primary care physicians or any specialty provider can place a referral for a colorectal screen, allowing them to bypass visiting a GI office to secure an appointment.

“They fill out a quick questionnaire, and once they’re eligible, we send them straight to scheduling so it saves them time and makes it more accessible for them,” Devine explained.

If you’re looking for a referral for your colorectal screen, you can talk to your primary care provider and ask them to place a referral through the Open Access program here at TidalHealth Atlantic. If you do not have a primary care provider or a specialty care provider, you can self-refer by going on TidalHealth’s website here.