• Appointments | Patient Portal


Northwest Indiana Medical Group (NEW)
  • Quick Links
    • For Patients
      • For Patients

        • Patients & Visitors
        • Award Nominations
        • Accepted Insurance
        • All Appointments
        • Billing Information
        • Coordinated Care
        • Helpful Information
        • Medicare Helpline
        • Patient Forms
        • Patient Portal
        • Prescription Refills
        • Telehealth Info
          • Services
            • Services

              • View All Services
              • Audiology
              • Bariatrics
              • Cardiac Electrophysiology
              • Cardiology
              • Cardiothoracic Surgery
              • Gastroenterology
              • General Surgery
              • Neurology
              • OB/GYN
              • Oncology & Hematology
              • Orthopedics
              • Pediatrics
              • Primary Care
              • Pulmonary & Critical Care
              • Sleep Medicine
              • Urology
                • Providers
                • Locations
                • About
                  • About

                    • About Us
                    • Affiliations
                    • Newsroom
                    • Organized Health Care Arrangement Status
                      • Contact
                      • NWHealthIN.com
                      • Northwest Health
                        • Northwest Health - La Porte
                        • Northwest Health - Porter
                        • Northwest Health - Starke
                        • Northwest Health - Lakeshore Surgicare
                        • Northwest Medical Group
                      • Make an Appointment
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Careers
                      Home/About Us/Newsroom/Northwest Medical Group GI Encourages Colonoscopies During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

                      Refine Results

                      eNewsletter Redirect
                      Notice of Non-Discrimination
                      About Us
                      Affiliations
                      Newsroom
                      Organized Health Care Arrangement Status
                      Contact Us
                      For Patients
                      Locations
                      Providers
                      Services
                      PPS - Webpages
                      • advertisement

                        Locations

                        Ready for your visit? Click here to find out the location of and directions to our office.

                        Learn More
                      • advertisement

                        Services

                        Need more information? Click here to learn more about the services we offer.

                        Learn More

                      Northwest Medical Group GI Encourages Colonoscopies During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

                      3/15/2023

                      If you’re thinking a colonoscopy is a test for old people, think again. In 2018, the American Cancer Society altered their recommendation for timing of a first-time colon cancer screening from age 50 to age 45, for those at average risk of cancer. The change was directly tied to the rising number of younger adults being diagnosed with colorectal cancers – including many with no family history of the disease.

                      Chopra“As the second most common cause of cancer death, colorectal cancer is now being diagnosed at a younger age and at a more advanced stage. Yet according to the American Cancer Society, 40% of Americans 45 years and older are not up to date with their screenings.” said board-certified gastroenterologist Anish Chopra, M.D. “And that is disturbing news, because we know that with regular screenings, such as colonoscopies, colorectal cancer can be caught early and more easily cured.”

                      The ACS guidance also includes very specific precautions for those at increased risk of colon cancer. For these patients, the physician may advise initial screening before age 45, being screened more often, and/or using specific screening methods to ensure polyps are found and removed early, before they can become cancerous. These risk factors include:

                      • A personal or family history of colorectal cancer, or of certain types of polyps
                      • A personal history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
                      • A history of radiation in the abdomen or pelvis, in treatment of previous cancer(s)
                      • A genetic and hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome

                      “While it is one of the most common forms of cancer, colon cancer is also highly preventable and treatable. Healthy diet and lifestyle choices, combined with proactive screening and prompt removal of any polyps, can dramatically reduce your risk of contracting this disease,” said Dr. Chopra. “Also, never ignore changes of any kind in your bowel habits – be prepared to share details with your physician, including frequency, consistency and any type of discomfort or dysfunction.”

                      Many symptoms of colorectal cancer can also be caused by other conditions, according to the National Cancer Institute. Because colorectal cancer is more easily cured when detected early, you should see your doctor if you experience any of the following:

                      • Abdominal pain or cramping
                      • Blood in your stool, bleeding from your rectum or dark stool
                      • Changes in bowel habits, including constipation, diarrhea or narrow stool lasting more than a couple of days
                      • Persistent feeling that a bowel movement is necessary, even after having one
                      • Unexplained weakness, fatigue or weight loss

                      To schedule an appointment with Dr. Chopra in Valparaiso or Michigan City, call 219-464-9507.

                      Back

                      Northwest Medical Group

                      • ADA Accessibility Policy
                      • Notice of Privacy Practices
                      • Privacy Policy
                      • Change Your Privacy Choices
                      • Terms & Conditions

                      Copyright ©2025. All rights reserved.

                      A medical group of AllianceHealth Oklahoma®

                      Services

                      • Audiology
                      • Bariatrics
                      • Cardiac Electrophysiology
                      • Cardiology
                      • Cardiothoracic Surgery
                      • Gastroenterology
                      • General Surgery
                      • Neurology
                      • OB/GYN
                      • Oncology & Hematology
                      • Orthopedics
                      • Pediatrics
                      • Primary Care
                      • Pulmonary & Critical Care
                      • Sleep Medicine
                      • Urology

                      For Patients

                      • Award Nominations
                      • Accepted Insurance
                      • All Appointments
                      • Billing Information
                      • Coordinated Care
                      • Helpful Information
                      • Medicare Helpline
                      • Patient Forms
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Prescription Refills
                      • Telehealth Info

                      About

                      • Affiliations
                      • Newsroom
                      • Organized Health Care Arrangement Status

                      Notice of Nondiscrimination
                      • English,
                      • አማርኛ,
                      • العربية,
                      • বাংলা,
                      • ျမန္မာဘာသာ,
                      • tsalagi gawonihisdi,
                      • 繁體中文,
                      • Chahta,
                      • Oroomiffa,
                      • Nederlands,
                      • Français,
                      • Kreyòl Ayisyen,
                      • Deutsch,
                      • ગુજરાતી,
                      • हिंदी,
                      • Hmoob,
                      • Igbo asusu,
                      • Ilokano,
                      • Italiano,
                      • 日本語,
                      • 한국어,
                      • Ɓàsɔ́ɔ̀‑wùɖù‑po‑nyɔ̀,
                      • ພາສາລາວ,
                      • Kajin Ṃajōḷ,
                      • ខ្មែរ,
                      • Diné Bizaad,
                      • नेपाली,
                      • Deitsch,
                      • فارسی,
                      • Polski,
                      • Português,
                      • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
                      • Română,
                      • Русский,
                      • Gagana fa'a Sāmoa,
                      • Srpsko‑hrvatski,
                      • Español,
                      • ܣܘܼܪܸܬ݂,
                      • Tagalog,
                      • ภาษาไทย,
                      • Türkçe,
                      • Українська,
                      • اُردُو,
                      • Tiếng Việt,
                      • èdè Yorùbá,
                      • עִברִית
                      Primary Care Appointments:
                      888-SAME-DAY
                      Loading... Loading...