ALBANY --
Doctors say colon cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer if it's caught early, and with the unveiling of a new Digestive Health Center on Sunday, specialists say that's now possible.

"The community really has needed this. There are so many people who -- in this area, especially -- who need the services of a digestive health center," said Clinic Director Michele Jones.

The two-floor center offers patients who are suffering from gastrointestinal issues a convenient way to get screened without going to the hospital. Doctors say they're hoping it will encourage more people to participate in check-ups.

"People do not come in for colon cancer screening and the only way that we find colon cancer is to do a colonoscopy," said Medical Director Dr. Matthew Grundfast.

Dr. Grundfast says the procedure isn't cheap and because of that, Phoebe Putney has partnered with the Cancer Coalition to provide services for low-income patient -- and patient Elizabeth Kegler says if it wasn't for this partnership, she might not be here.

"They was working with the low income patients and they was giving out colonoscopies and wanted to know if I wanted to have one. I stated yes."

Through that screening, Kegler was diagnosed with colon cancer. Now, 2 years later, she's cancer free.

Doctors say patients aren't the only ones who will see the benefits of this center. With its creation, 30 new jobs were made available. The new consolidated center has grown from 70 to 100 jobs which employees say is necessary for the 2-floors of services.

"It's everyone to facilitate the delivery of care both in the clinic and upstairs on the second floor in our endoscopy suites. We have 8 procedure rooms and that takes quite a bit of people," said Dr. Grundfast.

Now that the center is under one roof, those employees say they'll be able to offer the kind of care our area needs.