Life is busy and your plate is full, but taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for others. A colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test is a simple step that could make a big difference in your future. Direct Access Colonoscopy makes scheduling your procedure easier.

Colon Cancer is Preventable

In adults younger than 50, colorectal cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer death in men and the second in women.

The good news is CRC is both preventable and highly treatable when detected early. Experts recommend starting CRC screenings at age 45, if you are at average risk. If you have digestive symptoms, you should see your health care provider regardless of age.

A colonoscopy is the most efficient way to detect the disease early or even prevent cancer. If you choose other colon cancer screening methods and receive an abnormal result, you must follow up with a colonoscopy to determine the cause of the positive test.

What is Direct Access?

Career, family and the nonstop pace of life demands your full attention. Direct Access Colonoscopy is a simple and convenient way to schedule your colon cancer screening.

If you qualify, you don’t need to have a formal pre-procedure visit with a gastroenterologist or endoscopist. In fact, you do not meet the doctor until the day of the procedure.

Additionally, Direct Access Colonoscopy is covered by most health insurance plans.

How does Direct Access Work?

Prior to being scheduled for a colonoscopy, you will have a call with our center staff to review your medical history in detail.

If you have an uncomplicated medical history, are between 45 and 75 years old, and are in generally good health, you may be eligible for Direct Access.

Also, if you require a colonoscopy to evaluate a positive screening stool test, you may be eligible for Direct Access.

If certain health conditions are identified during the call with our center, an office visit will be required prior to the procedure.

Schedule Your Screening at Our ASC

For a colonoscopy, our Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) makes it easy to get the care you need:

• Timely, efficient outpatient care
• Less waiting, more one-on-one attention
• Often more affordable than hospital procedures
• A safe, welcoming space designed with your comfort in mind

Find out if you are eligible for a Direct Access Colonoscopy.

Early detection saves lives. If you’re due for a colonoscopy or need a follow-up, don’t wait. Protect your health and schedule your screening today.

Red Bank, NJ – The Endoscopy Center of Red Bank invites you to explore the exceptional care and welcoming environment of our entire facility through a new, immersive experience. Known for healthcare excellence, our center’s clean and comforting surroundings reflect our dedication to patient well-being.

Take the Google 360 Tour

Discover the comprehensive care we provide with our new 360° virtual tour, professionally captured by a certified Google 360 photographer. From the welcoming reception area to our cutting-edge procedure rooms and tranquil recovery spaces, every aspect is designed with your comfort in mind. Transparency is a core value at the Endoscopy Center of Red Bank, and we want you to see firsthand the exceptional care patients receive daily. This virtual tour helps ease pre-visit concerns and fosters trust by giving you a full view of our facility.

Why Choose the Endoscopy Center of Red Bank?

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  Comprehensive, Inviting Facilities: Experience a healthcare environment where cleanliness and comfort are priorities, from the lobby to our procedure rooms.

• Personalized Care: Our experienced professionals are dedicated to addressing your unique health needs, ensuring a patient-centered experience every step of the way.
• Informed Decisions: The virtual tour and photo gallery offer insights into our center, promoting transparency and confidence in your healthcare choices.

At the Endoscopy Center of Red Bank, we combine top-tier medical care with an atmosphere designed to put you at ease. We invite you to explore the difference at our meticulously maintained facility.

Subha Sundararajan, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Endoscopy Center of Red Bank, knows most patients don’t look forward to their colonoscopy. But experience has taught her that patient education and compassionate, quality care go a long way.

“No one ever comes to the office saying, ‘Doc, I’m super excited to get my colonoscopy,’” Dr. Sundararajan said. “But once you explain to them that a colonoscopy is one of the most effective modalities we have out there for preventing colon cancer … and you show them how effective it is with the data and statics, it really helps reassure people.”

The American Cancer Society and U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommend that patients at average risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) begin screening at age 45. Dr. Sundararajan says that decision comes down to detecting CRC as early as possible.

“So, the earlier it’s diagnosed, the more curable it is,” she said.

“So, go get your colonoscopy. I like to say, ‘Let’s make your butt beautiful, inside and out.’”

Bonnie Woodward, RN, affectionately known as “Nurse Bonnie,” lost her mother to colon cancer at a young age due to a misdiagnosis. She has since dedicated her life to helping save other people’s lives.

Nurse Bonnie cares for her community at the Endoscopy Center of Red Bank, an AMSURG-affiliated ambulatory surgery center in New Jersey. Through her work, she honors her mother and the countless patients she has helped prevent and overcome colorectal cancer diagnoses. One of those patients is Michele Battista, an 11-year Stage 3 colon cancer survivor who calls Nurse Bonnie her sister in blue.

“Everyone should have a Nurse Bonnie,” Michele said. Nurse Bonnie has helped care for Michele during her cancer journey, and in the process, they have become close friends.

“Colorectal cancer is beatable, treatable and preventable. Get your colonoscopy screening; it can save your life,” Bonnie said.

With more people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) at a younger age, it is now recommended that those at average risk for CRC begin screening at age 45 instead of 50.

It’s possible that Michele Battista’s life could have been different had the recommended first-time screening age been lowered sooner. Still, her decision to be screened at 50 was lifesaving.

Without any CRC symptoms, Michele scheduled a screening colonoscopy at the Endoscopy Center of Red Bank in New Jersey. She followed her prep and arrived at the center on Valentine’s Day.

“I wasn’t expecting anything,” Michele said.

Her physician discovered a peach-sized tumor during her colonoscopy. She was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. Michele underwent surgery and 12 rounds of chemotherapy and is now celebrating her 11-year cancerversary®.

She has become a fierce advocate for early CRC detection, sharing her story and encouraging people to receive timely screenings.

“If I can get one person to go get their colonoscopy based on my story at 50, then I’m happy.”

Second chances aren’t a given, which is why Keith Lyons is determined to make the most of his.

“I’m a survivor. I got a second chance at life, and I’m not going to sit on it,” said Keith, an endoscopy technician at the Endoscopy Center of Red Bank.

He is committed to helping others survive. In addition to raising awareness, he supports physicians in detecting and preventing colorectal cancer through colonoscopies at work.

As a teenager, he had an inflammatory bowel disease and didn’t like the thought of having to receive additional colonoscopies. Then, at 32, with the help of a trusted nurse and knowing the importance of his gastrointestinal health, he decided to get screened. That’s when he learned of his Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis, which he has worked to overcome.

“It’s an everyday fight. I’m not going to lie. But I’m still here to fight because I chose to get myself checked out.”

Now 55, Keith continues to spread his message of survival, encouraging people to get screened and using his experience to break stigmas around colonoscopies.

“‘Colon cancer is preventable.’ That’s my slogan,” he said. “Please get checked.”