Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

Overview

The Colorectal Cancer Screening Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Digestive Disease Institute specializes in preventing colorectal cancer (cancer of the rectum or colon) and identifying signs of colorectal cancer at the earliest possible stage by offering expert screening to the community. Our program offers innovative and advanced colorectal cancer screening techniques, and we are the UAE’s largest artificial intelligence (AI) colonoscopy center, meaning more accurate and efficient screening, earlier detection and ultimately better outcomes for patients.

Early detection reduces the need for surgery or other interventions and improves patient outcomes. There are two main goals of colorectal cancer screening. The first is to identify precancerous lesions, called polyps. Polyps can be removed safely during colonoscopy without surgery to prevent colorectal cancer from developing. The second goal is to identify cancers at an early stage, making it possible to provide patients with the appropriate treatment at the right time, improving their chances of cure.

The Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi provides comprehensive, Patients First care across a wide spectrum of colorectal conditions. The colorectal cancer screening team offers the latest therapies from expert gastroenterologists, therapeutic colonoscopists and colorectal surgeons to help patients move quickly from diagnosis to treatment.

What We Treat

Large colorectal polyps are benign precancerous polyps that can be removed by therapeutic colonoscopists during a colonoscopy to prevent colorectal cancer and the need for surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Colorectal cancer affects the colon (large intestine) or the rectum. It usually begins as benign growths called polyps, which may become cancerous over time. Early screening helps detect and remove these polyps before cancer develops and improves the chances of successful treatment if cancer is present.

As the symptoms of colorectal cancer rarely appear until the later stages of the disease, when it is more difficult to treat, screening can help detect it as soon as possible, with up to 90% of patients surviving when the disease is detected early.

For this reason, screening is seen as an essential, proactive step to identifying colorectal cancer early. For patients who do experience symptoms, the most common symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.
A change in normal bowel movements (diarrhea, constipation, or both for more than 2 weeks).
Abdominal pain.
Unexplained weight loss or anemia.

It is also important for patients with a family history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer to get screened to reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer has been linked to diet, particularly diets high in red or processed meat, obesity, smoking and lack of exercise. Several of these risk factors are widespread throughout the UAE and other countries in the GCC.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives

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Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Because most people with colorectal polyps or early colorectal cancer do not have any symptoms, regular screening is important. There are several ways to screen for colorectal cancer for patients at average risk, including:

Stool test: A test that analyses a stool sample for signs of colorectal cancer, including hidden blood.
Colonoscopy: A procedure used to detect and removes polyps in the colon and rectum.

Colonoscopy is the gold standard and the recommended screening test for detecting colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer. Performed as an outpatient procedure, a colonoscopy uses a flexible tube with a tiny camera to examine the inside of the colon and rectum. During the procedure, patients receive anesthesia or sedation, so most experience little to no discomfort.

Artificial Intelligence and Colonoscopy

Technological innovations have improved the accuracy and effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening and detection through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) during colonoscopy.

AI supports the doctor by helping identify abnormalities during the procedure, improving detection and patient outcomes.

Benefits of AI-Assisted Colonoscopy:

AI software analyses endoscopic images in real time.
Improves detection accuracy by identifying subtle abnormalities that may be difficult to see with the human eye.
Improves the quality of the colonoscopy and reduces the number of missed polyps known as the ‘polyp miss rate’, which in turn can lead to better patient outcomes.
Helps reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by improving the detection and removal of precancerous polyps before they become cancerous.

Our program is home to the largest AI endoscopy center in the UAE. Every endoscopy suite where a colonoscopy procedure takes place has this advanced diagnostic tool available, ensuring all patients have access to earlier, more accurate detection of colorectal cancer and better prevention of the disease. Learn more about AI and endoscopy here.

Treatment After Colorectal Cancer Screening

One important benefit of a colonoscopy is that a polyp can be removed as soon as it is found, during the procedure. The goal is to remove the polyp before it can develop into colorectal cancer.

If cancer is detected, our interventional endoscopists and fellowship-trained colorectal surgeons offer the latest minimally invasive and advanced surgical treatment options. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is a leader in robotically assisted colon surgery, which can improve surgical precision and may reduce recovery time for many patients.