After a routine checkup, Brad was referred to GastroIntestinal Specialists (GIS). A colonoscopy by Dr. David Dies at GIS revealed a polyp, and a biopsy confirmed cancer. Although Brad needed surgery, the cancer hadn't spread. No further treatment was required for him. Brad's story is an important reminder to not wait and to get screened.

Transcript

Brad:

It was April of 2016. I just went in for my routine checkup. My blood work came back, and it was a bit off. From that point, it was scheduled me for an appointment with GIS to do an upper and lower scope.

Dr. Dies:

Unfortunately, I found a mass in his colon and took a biopsy, of course. I knew it was ugly-looking, and it needed surgery.

Brad:

I was very fortunate that because of the colonoscopy and the early screening that the tumor had not yet perforated the colon wall. It hadn’t metastasized anywhere. It was still contained, and with surgery, I was 100% good to go. No chemo, no radiation.

Dr. Dies:

The good part about this: The timing was perfect because I found this cancer before it had spread to any lymph nodes or any other organs. We were able to save him. Had he delayed another six to eight months, it would have been a different story for sure.

Brad:

I would 100% recommend GIS. The doctors, the nurses, the staff, the facility, the fact that they just genuinely care about your care.

Dr. Dies:

Colon cancer is the most preventable cancer in the human body if you will just come get your test, which is a colonoscopy.

Brad:

Two days of prep and a 30-minute nap to know I’m good or ‘no, you’re not, but we can fix it.’ Fortunately, I was in a spot where they could fix it.

Dr. Dies:

No one goes from nothing to cancer. They go from nothing to a polyp. You don’t see the doctors. Polyp grows into something. If you’re waiting for symptoms, you’re waiting for cancer. Come see us when you don’t have any symptoms, and let us just clean out the polyps. You’re good to go.