From Colonoscopy to At-Home Tests: Health First’s Dr. Ritesh Patil Details Screening Options That Could Save Your Life

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that develops in the colon or rectum

Dr. Ritesh Patil of Health First Cancer Institute highlights the lifesaving power of early colorectal cancer detection.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA  — When it comes to colorectal cancer, early detection isn’t just powerful—it can be lifesaving. That’s the message Dr. Ritesh Patil, a medical oncologist at Health First Cancer Institute, is working hard to share this Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

“Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers where we actually have a strong ability to prevent it entirely—if people get screened on time,” Patil said.

“Unfortunately, many still delay screenings due to fear, discomfort, or misconceptions. That delay can be the difference between a curable condition and a life-threatening one.”

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that develops in the colon or rectum—parts of the large intestine. It typically begins as small, noncancerous growths known as polyps. “Over time, these polyps can become cancerous, usually over several years,” Patil explained.

“If we can find and remove them early, we prevent cancer from ever developing.”

While colorectal cancer can sometimes cause symptoms, such as blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, bloating, fatigue, or weight loss, many people experience no symptoms at all in the early stages.

“That’s the challenge,” Patil said. “You can feel perfectly fine and still have early-stage cancer. By the time noticeable symptoms appear, it may already be advanced.”

For Dr. Patil, colorectal cancer is not just a professional concern—it’s personal. His own father was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer after years of brushing off subtle symptoms like bloating and fatigue.

“He kept saying it was just his diet, just gas, nothing serious,” Patil recalled. “But eventually, the pain became severe, and he ended up in emergency surgery. That’s exactly what we want to prevent with regular screenings.”

Thankfully, his father responded well to treatment and is doing well today. But his story serves as a cautionary tale—and a motivator for Patil to advocate no for early detection every chance he gets.

When patients express fear or reluctance about getting a colonoscopy, Patil addresses their concerns with empathy and facts.

“I remind them that the discomfort is temporary—but the benefits could be lifelong,” he said. “A colonoscopy is not just a diagnostic test—it’s also a preventive procedure.

While colonoscopy remains the gold standard for screening, Dr. Patil acknowledges that some patients prefer alternative options.

Non-invasive tests like stool DNA testing (such as Cologuard) and fecal blood tests can be done at home and mailed to a lab. Though not as accurate as colonoscopy, they offer a valuable first step—especially for patients who are hesitant about in-office procedures.

“I’d rather someone do a stool-based test than nothing at all,” he said. “But ideally, colonoscopy is what we recommend.”

Historically, screening was recommended starting at age 50, but that’s changing.

“Due to a rising number of younger people being diagnosed, national guidelines now recommend starting at age 45,” Dr. Patil said. “Earlier if there’s a family history or other risk factors.”

Risk factors for colon cancer include inherited conditions like Lynch syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, a high-fat or processed-meat diet, obesity, smoking and alcohol use.

Treatment options for colorectal cancer have improved significantly. Surgery remains the primary option for early-stage cancers and has become less invasive with robotic-assisted techniques. Chemotherapy and targeted therapies are also used, especially for more advanced cases.

“We’re seeing a shift toward personalized medicine,” Patil explained. “We can analyze the genetic makeup of a tumor and tailor treatments specifically for that patient.”

New approaches like immunotherapy—where the immune system is trained to fight cancer cells—and targeted therapies are offering hope even for some patients with metastatic disease.

After treatment, patients enter a critical surveillance phase. Dr. Patil explained that follow-up includes repeat colonoscopies, regular imaging scans (such as CT scans), and blood tests for tumor markers like carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) which is a protein made by some types of cancer including bowel cancer.

“We’re also moving toward using circulating tumor DNA testing—a blood test that can detect cancer cells much earlier than a scan might,” he said.

When asked about insurance coverage for some of these newer testing methods, Dr. Patil noted positive progress. “Medicare has approved circulating tumor DNA testing in certain stages of colon cancer and more private insurers are following suit,” he said. “In some cases, patients pay out of pocket, but there are programs to make it more affordable.”

Unlike many other cancers, colorectal cancer offers a true opportunity for prevention—not just early detection. With regular screenings, many cases can be avoided entirely.

“My message is simple,” he said. “Get screened. Don’t wait for symptoms and start getting screened at the age of 45.”

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