Mar 19, 2026
Host Janet Michael sits down with Dr. Michael Avery, board-certified general surgeon, Colorectal surgery specialist with Valley Health Surgical Oncology at Winchester Medical Center to discuss colorectal cancer — why awareness matters, who's at risk, how to screen, and how far treatment has come. Dr. Avery brings both personal backstory and clinical expertise to a conversation that could save your life.
About Dr. Avery
- Originally from Charlotte, NC; discovered medicine through a hospital internship
- Completed undergrad at East Carolina University, medical school at Campbell University
- General surgery residency at Carolinas Medical Center; colorectal fellowship at UT Southwestern in Dallas
- Now practicing at Valley Health Surgical Oncology, Winchester Medical Center
Colorectal Cancer by the Numbers
- 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and women
- 2nd leading cause of cancer death
- 150,000+ diagnoses in 2023; approximately 50,000 deaths
- Nearly half of cases are linked to modifiable risk factors
Screening: What You Need to Know
- Screening should begin at age 45 for average-risk individuals (lowered from 50)
- If a first-degree relative was diagnosed, begin screening 10 years before their diagnosis age
- Gold standard: Colonoscopy — both diagnostic and therapeutic in one procedure
- Alternative options: Cologuard (DNA stool test, ~94–95% sensitivity), CT colonography
- A positive Cologuard result requires follow-up colonoscopy
- Colonoscopy prep and sedation have improved significantly — most patients feel comfortable and remember nothing
Warning Signs & Symptoms
- Rectal bleeding (hematochezia)
- Abdominal pain
- Changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea)
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Unintentional weight loss
- Blood mixed in stool
- Note: Do not dismiss these symptoms at any age — young-onset colorectal cancer is rising
Risk Factors
- Non-modifiable: Family history, inflammatory bowel disease, genetics
- Modifiable: Sedentary lifestyle, obesity, diet high in processed meats/red meats/refined grains/sugar-sweetened beverages, smoking, excess alcohol
- Consuming 2+ sugar-sweetened beverages per day associated with nearly 2x increased risk
Who's Most at Risk
- Men are more prone than women and have higher mortality rates
- African American men face a disproportionately higher risk and younger onset
- Young-onset colorectal cancer is increasingly left-sided and rectal, which can be more life-altering
Advances in Treatment
- Minimally invasive surgery: hospital stays now typically 1–3 days
- Total neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer — organ preservation approach ("watch and wait") to potentially avoid surgery
- Targeted therapies and immunotherapies showing remarkable response rates for certain genetic profiles (e.g., work from Memorial Sloan Kettering)
- Early-stage colon cancer has an 85–90% five-year survival rate
Key Takeaways
- Colorectal cancer is largely preventable and highly treatable when caught early.
- Get screened at 45 — or earlier if you have a family history.
- Don't ignore symptoms — rectal bleeding and bowel changes deserve prompt evaluation.
- A colonoscopy is the gold standard: one test, one time, can both find and fix the problem.
- Treatment today looks nothing like it did for your grandparents' generation.
Resources & Next Steps
- Talk to your primary care physician about scheduling a colonoscopy or Cologuard test
- Contact Valley Health Surgical Oncology at Winchester Medical Center to learn more about colorectal cancer screening and treatment
- Learn more at valleyhealthlink.com