get the proper instruction to eat gluten free. Stinson said nutrition education can often be a challenge.
“ It’ s often lifestyle and diet modification,” Dr. Cook said in reducing many gastrointestinal issues. It’ s not always a magic pill that will alleviate the symptoms as much as it is individual choices.
As for colorectal cancer, while lifestyle choices can be a factor, the causes can be plentiful, including family history. Dr. Cook said he’ s pleased to see the recommended screening age drop to 45 from 50 and would like to see it set at 40.
Dr. Cook said the advancements in detection have also aided in the reduced mortality rate from colorectal cancer.“ There ' s more screening available now, it ' s not just colonoscopy,” he said, adding that the availability of stool and blood-based tests are causing more people of screening age to get screened.
Dr. Cook said colonoscopy remains the recommended test for individuals with a family history of the disease.“ If you have a family history in what we call a first-degree relative, then we recommend starting screening at age 40, or 10 years before that person was diagnosed, whichever comes first.” In other words, if someone has a parent who was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 45, it’ s recommended that they begin screening at age 35.
Dr. Cook also said if an individual has had polyps in the past, or if they are experiencing symptoms, it’ s recommended they bypass other testing methods and go straight to a colonoscopy. He said polyps are commonly a precursor to colon cancer and can often be removed during the screening procedure.
Office Manager Vicki Burnett( left) and Angela Stinson, ARNP, of Gastroenterology Associates of Lake Cumberland.
Lisa Rowell photo
When detected in its early stages, colon cancer is one of the most treatable cancers, so it’ s important to talk with one ' s primary care provider about any symptoms they may be having and ask if early screening is appropriate.
Stinson said colonoscopy preps have become easier over the years and are only mildly inconvenient or a day or two at most. She said there are low volume and even pill options available in lieu of the liquid prep, depending on what your insurance will cover. That twoday inconvenience could end up saving one ' s life.
Concerning symptoms of colon cancer, Stinson said to talk with your care provider about anything out of the ordinary that is concerning. She said a change in bowel habits or regularity, blood in your stool, abdominal pain, or weight loss for unknown reasons are concerning symptoms.“ I always tell patients if they ' re not sure, they need to come back for anything that concerns you that ' s a change.” For example, Stinson said,“ you ' ve had constipation your entire life and suddenly you have diarrhea, but that ' s a new change.”
Stinson also said what is normal for one person may not be normal for another. For instance, some people might have two or three bowel movements in a week and that is normal for them while someone else’ s normal might be once a day.“ If you veer from your normal, that ' s when that ' s when you need to talk to us.”
Keeping things moving While irregularity in itself isn’ t necessarily a sign of colon cancer, Stinson said sometimes just getting the right amount of fiber will make a big difference to get your bowels moving with more regularity.“ Vegetables, leafy green salads, beans— those are all good,” she said. She also recommends getting enough water and drinking less carbonated sugary drinks.“ Your digestion is not going to work without the proper amount of water intake.”
Stinson acknowledged that older people can tend to not have strong appetites and may struggle with constipation.“ That ' s one of the first things we ' ll tell them is to drink more water, and eat more fiber. And that can make a big difference in their health.”
Stinson said the practice treats anything related to gastrointestinal health.“ We treat anything gastro: heartburn, indigestion, bloating, reflux, liver, pancreas. I mean, we kind of take care of the whole digestive tract here.”
March 2026 SEKY- Southeast Kentucky Life • 25