Bayhealth Multidisciplinary Team Rallied to Offer Weekend Colonoscopies

The Bayhealth colorectal cancer team and other supporting team members performed 31 screening colonoscopies on the first weekend in April at Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus. The effort, spearheaded by Bayhealth Rectal Cancer Program Director and Colorectal Surgeon, Assar Rather, MD, was a testament to Bayhealth’s commitment to providing access by helping overcome the barriers some may face.

Dr. Rather and his team assembled a group of clinicians—including surgeons, gastroenterologists and anesthesiologists—endoscopy team members and other support team members to offer these unique timeslots.

“We hear all the time from community members that they simply cannot spare time during our regular working hours to schedule a colonoscopy. This oftentimes leads to them not getting screened at all which could have detrimental consequences,” said Dr. Rather. “I’m so proud of my team and my colleagues who jumped at the opportunity to offer the screenings on a weekend, even if it meant sacrificing some of their own time.”

It’s important to remember that colonoscopies aren’t screening for colorectal cancer, they’re screening to prevent it. The exams help detect colorectal cancer early by identifying and removing polyps before they turn cancerous. Prevention and early detection are key to fighting the disease.

Regular screening colonoscopies are recommended for adults aged 45 and older. Those younger than 45 with symptoms should talk to their primary care physician about getting screened early.

Bayhealth is proud to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer for its commitment to upholding the highest quality standards for rectal cancer care.

To schedule a colonoscopy at Bayhealth call Colorectal Cancer Nurse Navigator, Judy Giddens, LPN, at 302-744-6098.