In 2000, President Clinton designated March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness and encourage screening. Today, colorectal cancer education continues to be incredibly important as it is the second deadliest cancer in the United States.

“Most people don’t know that colon cancer can be prevented, and the only way to prevent it is with a colonoscopy.” – Dr. Maria Martinez Ugarte, Colo-Rectal Surgeon

Dr. Maria Martinez Ugarte is the only female Spanish speaking Colo-rectal surgeon in South Texas. She has over ten years of experience in the medical field and has been honored with countless awards throughout her career such as Top Surgeon in 2023 and Top Doctor in 2025, among others. Dr. Martinez Ugarte works closely with Gonzaba’s primary care providers to curate a health plan that works best for the patient. She frequently takes calls from Gonzaba providers to go over different signs and symptoms patients experience or answer any questions they may have about colon health. Most other medical groups don’t have the luxury of calling upon the expertise of a colorectal surgeon at any time, but at Gonzaba– our patients do!

Something that Dr. Martinez Ugarte always reminds her patients of is that colon cancer can be prevented if caught at its earliest stage. Other cancers can only be treated once they begin but colon cancer can be prevented if you catch it and remove it at its pre-cancerous stage which in the medical field is called polyps. The only way to do this is with a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is usually scheduled months in advance, but at Gonzaba our primary care providers can work with Dr. Martinez Ugarte to get you scheduled within weeks.

Healthy blood pressure levels are maintained through an active lifestyle, a healthy diet and regular doctor check-ups. It is important that you visit your Gonzaba primary care provider with regularity because they check your blood pressure at every visit. If your blood pressure is lower or higher than it needs to be, they will create an individualized health plan to help you get back on track. This might include diet changes, lifestyle changes or seeing a specialist.

Dr. Martinez Ugarte recommends getting your first colonoscopy at 45 if you have no noticeable symptoms or family history. If you experience symptoms or have a family history of colon cancer, she recommends getting a colonoscopy right away, regardless of your age. After your first procedure, your doctor will advise you on when to schedule your next colposcopy depending on the results.

Symptoms such as bleeding in your stool, dark stool, acute changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain and bloating, unintentional weight loss or anemia can be signs of a more serious problem in your colon. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your primary care provider immediately, and ask them if a colonoscopy is right for you. If you have a family history of colon cancer, talk to your primary care provider about scheduling a colonoscopy, as colon cancer is hereditary.

Even without symptoms, it is very important that you schedule a colonoscopy starting at the age of 45.

“Colon cancer is a silent cancer, you might feel totally fine and not have symptoms but that does not mean that you don’t have colon cancer. Colon cancer only shows symptoms when it is at an advanced stage.” – Dr. Martinez Ugarte

As mentioned earlier, colon cancer can be prevented if you catch it at its earliest stage– polyps. The only way to catch it at its earliest stage is through a colonoscopy. Having no symptoms does not mean that you do not have any polyps or colon cancer. If your surgeon finds polyps during your colonoscopy they will remove them; either on the spot if they are small enough or they will schedule a procedure to remove them later if they are larger.

For more detailed information about polyps, how they form and how they are removed, watch the video below where Dr. Martinez Ugarte goes over all the details!

Colon cancer is caused by a variety of different factors such as lifestyle choices, genetics, other diseases and syndromes. Unfortunately, like most other cancers, there is no singular cause. To help keep your colon healthy, Dr. Martinez Ugarte recommends eating a healthy diet filled with lots of fiber, fruits, vegetables, lots of water and keeping an active lifestyle. She also shares that smoking has very negative effects on your colon health. She recommends no smoking at all!

If you are above the age of 45, or experiencing symptoms described above, and have never had a colonoscopy, we urge you to contact your primary care provider and inquire about getting your first colonoscopy.

Disclaimer: This article is meant to be informative, but it does not replace your primary care provider’s instructions. Please ask your doctor before making any drastic lifestyle changes to make sure it is the right fit for you.