Even though most people know that the early detection of colon cancer is crucial to a patient’s prognosis, Brandon Cunningham, MD, wants to remind everyone during March, Colon Cancer Awareness Month, that a colonoscopy can be a life saver.

Dr. Cunningham is a general surgeon who visits Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH), 923 Carroll in Larned, twice a month to perform colonoscopies.

“The staff here at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital are great to work with,” Dr. Cunningham said. “They are professionals who genuinely care for their patients. It’s nice to go to Larned to make life a little easier for those who are scheduled for colonoscopies so they don’t have to travel.”

His main office is at Southwind Surgical at HaysMed.

“A colonoscopy is not only diagnostic it can also prevent colon cancer,” Dr. Cunningham noted. “If polyps are detected during this screening, they are removed before they have a chance to turn into cancer.”

The surgeon understands that patients may be a bit apprehensive about a colonoscopy but assures them “it is a very safe procedure. And since patients are sedated, they do not experience any discomfort.

“It is important to note that colon cancer often doesn’t result in symptoms,” Dr. Cunningham added. “Nevertheless, in some cases there can be bleeding and/or a narrowing of the stools.”

According to the American Cancer Society website, the estimated number of new colon-cancer diagnoses in the United States this year will be close to 159,000 and colon cancer is increasing in people younger than 65.

“With this in mind, it is recommended to start colonoscopies at age 45,” Dr. Cunningham advised. “This has changed from the previous recommendation of 50. Also, patients with a family history of colon cancer should receive a colonoscopy 10 years prior to the earliest diagnosis of that family member.

“We encourage people who have a family history of colon cancer to talk with their physician about when to have their first screening. Other risk factors are smoking and inflammatory bowel disease.”

In addition to colonoscopies, he performs endoscopies and consults with other healthcare providers at PVCH.

Dr. Cunningham graduated from The University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City where he also completed his residency. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery.

Melanie Urban, PVCH administrator, said “it is important to provide preventive surgical services in our community and we are pleased to have such an experienced and talented surgeon as Dr. Cunningham.”

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, 923 Carroll in Larned, is a 25-bed facility, offering many services not typically available in a smaller facility. Included are 24/7 emergency care; acute, skilled and specialized nursing; surgery; high-tech imaging and laboratory tests; wound care; rehabilitation; and sleep and diagnostic center. PVCH Family Medicine provides the full range of family-medicine services; physician-assisted weight loss; and women’s health services. The hospital’s number is 620-285-3161; the clinic’s number is 620-804-6007.