March 3, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Avera Health. 

March is that time of year for reminders about colon health and the importance of getting screened for this type of cancer – screenings that can prevent the second-leading cause of cancer deaths. In fact, new data reveals that colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women younger than 50.

Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening because physicians not only can identify cancer in its early stages, but also they can find and remove precancerous polyps, essentially preventing cancer from developing.

The recommended age to begin colon screenings has changed from 50 to 45, meaning that more people are eligible for this important screening. Colonoscopy is a key aspect of care delivered in the newly opened Pavilion 2 on the Avera on Louise Health Campus. The 127,000-square-foot, three-story home to the Avera Digestive Health Center opened in January.

“Colonoscopy is not all we do here, but it certainly is a major portion of our procedures,” said Dr. Christopher Hurley, an Avera gastroenterologist.

“We’re hoping that every single adult in our city and region – age 45 and older – will take advantage of this opportunity to save themselves the pain, trouble and expense of cancer, and perhaps even save their life.”

Colorectal cancer is very treatable when discovered in its earliest stages. “It’s even preventable when we have the opportunity to find and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer,” Hurley said.

Thanks to increasing numbers of people being screened, along with better treatment options, the rate of deaths in older adults is decreasing annually. “However, the same decline in death rates from colon cancer in people under 50 has not been realized, emphasizing the importance of screening being started promptly at age 45 and even at an earlier age in some patients with family history of colon cancer or certain genetic syndromes,” Hurley said.

Colonoscopy also is used for other groups of patients with a chronic disease who require accurate diagnosis, surveillance and ongoing medical management so they can experience a better quality of life.

In Pavilion 2, the ground floor is dedicated to gastrointestinal procedures, including general procedure rooms and suites for specialized procedures, for example, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasound and procedures that require the use of X-ray. Added space will allow Avera to increase GI procedures by 100 percent.

The second floor houses space for the Avera Gastroenterology clinic, with capacity for additional growth. The lower level houses dedicated space for sterile processing, and the third floor remains shell space for future expansion.

Gastroenterology patients run the gamut from bowel obstructions to bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, biliary disease, gallstones, heartburn/acid reflux, gas, bloating, unexplained or chronic diarrhea or constipation, swallowing difficulties or blood test abnormalities.

Avera Gastroenterology in Sioux Falls has six gastroenterologists and nine advanced practice providers, or APPs, including nurse practitioners who offer navigation for patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer.

Three GI hospitalists at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center also increase capacity, allowing clinic GI physicians and APPs to concentrate on outpatient care. This includes people who present to the emergency department with GI pain or symptoms and can be seen on an outpatient basis.

GI specialists took part in the design of the Avera Digestive Health Center, specifically for GI care. “This center delivers everything patients need and want: convenience, ready access, privacy, comfort, safety, and the list goes on,” Hurley said.

In addition to the lowered screening age, factors driving demand for GI services include a growing population and an aging population.

“People today are more in tune with their own health. Rather than just live with troubling symptoms, they seek out specialty care, and Avera is pleased to have growing capacity to serve these needs through the Avera Digestive Health Center,” Hurley said.

Learn more about colon cancer prevention at Avera.