Colon cancer is one of the few cancers that can often be prevented through routine screening, but many people still put it off.
Sometimes, people are busy; sometimes, they are unsure where to begin. In other cases, the process simply feels more complicated than it needs to be.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Frisco is working to remove some of those barriers through its Direct Screen Colonoscopy program. This approach offers a more convenient way for eligible patients to schedule a routine screening colonoscopy without first requiring an office visit with a specialist.
Why screening matters
Colorectal cancer often develops silently, without noticeable symptoms in its earliest stages. That is what makes screening so important. A colonoscopy can help detect polyps before they become cancerous and identify cancer early, when treatment may be more effective.
“Colon cancer is highly preventable with routine screening, yet we still see patients diagnosed at later stages because of delays or barriers to access,” said Dale Burleson, MD, colorectal surgeon at Baylor Scott & White – Frisco. “By removing unnecessary steps, programs like direct screening make it easier for patients to take action early when it matters most.”
The American Cancer Society recommends that adults at average risk begin regular screening at age 45.
How the program works
The Direct Screen Colonoscopy program at Baylor Scott & White – Frisco is intended for people who are due for a routine colonoscopy and meet certain screening criteria.
Instead of scheduling an initial consultation first, qualified patients can begin with a secure online questionnaire. The information is reviewed to determine whether direct scheduling is appropriate.
If a patient is eligible, the team helps move the process forward with scheduling and preparation instructions. If the questionnaire indicates that a consultation or further medical evaluation is needed, the patient is guided to the appropriate next step.
Who may qualify
This program is generally designed for individuals who are at average risk for colon cancer and do not have symptoms or a medical history that would require an office evaluation before the procedure. The online questionnaire helps identify whether direct scheduling is a good fit.
Built for convenience
The goal of this program is to make colorectal screening more accessible and less time-consuming because it can be difficult to fit preventive care into an already full schedule. The program maintains the high standards of safety and clinical review that patients expect.
From the initial questionnaire through scheduling and procedure preparation, patients receive clear step-by-step guidance from the Baylor Scott & White – Frisco team.
Take the next step
When it comes to colon cancer, early detection can make a meaningful difference. Screening should not feel like an obstacle course.
If you are age 45 or older and due for a colonoscopy, the Direct Screen Colonoscopy program at Baylor Scott & White – Frisco offers a simpler way to get started.
Take the first step and complete the questionnaire today.
Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of Baylor Scott & White Health or those medical centers.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Frisco is a hospital in which physicians have an ownership or investment interest. The list of physician owners or investors is available to you upon request. We are fully licensed by the state of Texas and are Medicare certified. Our facility is also accredited by The Joint Commission. We are an affiliate of United Surgical Partners International, and partnered with local physicians. Physicians are members of the medical staff and are neither employees nor agents of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Frisco, United Surgical Partners International, Baylor Scott & White Health, or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates.
The above story was produced by the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Frisco team with Community Impact's Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
