Health information
Digestive health, and why screening matters
A plain-language look at how the digestive system works, and why colorectal cancer screening is one of the most useful conversations to have with your primary care provider.
Originally published on the QualCare blog as “Through the Tract” (October 2023). Revised and re-published here — the original URL redirects to this page.
What does the digestive system actually do?
The digestive system — the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract — runs from the mouth to the anus and includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (the colon) and rectum. It turns what you eat into the nutrients and energy your body runs on, and eliminates what can’t be absorbed.
Most people don’t think about it until something goes wrong. Things like ongoing heartburn, changes in bowel habits, or discomfort that doesn’t settle are worth raising with your provider rather than waiting out.
Why bring this up with a primary care provider?
Because GI symptoms are common, easy to normalise, and occasionally the first sign of something that is far more treatable when it is found early. Your primary care provider is the person who already knows your history and can tell the difference between a change that matters and one that doesn’t — and can refer you on when it does.
What about colorectal cancer screening?
Screening is the part of this worth being deliberate about. Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States, and it is also one of the most preventable through screening, because screening can find and remove growths before they become cancer.
[PLACEHOLDER — the specific incidence and mortality ranking, and the current recommended screening start age, must be stated with a cited primary source (American Cancer Society / USPSTF) and a date before this page ships. The legacy post asserted rankings with no citation; an uncited statistic does not belong on a medical page.]
The practical step is the same regardless of the exact figure: ask your provider at your next visit whether you are due, and which screening method fits you.
Talk to us
QualCare’s providers handle this conversation as part of ordinary primary care at both the Fishkill and Poughkeepsie offices. Call 845-471-3500, or book a visit.
This page is general health information, not medical advice, and does not create a provider-patient relationship. Talk to a qualified provider about your own health.