For Dr. O’Connor, prevention is not a slogan—it is a calling. She has witnessed firsthand how one timely screening can mean the difference between early intervention and life-altering diagnosis. That reality fuels her mission to move conversations about colorectal cancer out of the shadows and into communities where awareness can save lives. Nowhere is that urgency more apparent than in the African American population, where individuals are 40 percent more likely to be diagnosed and 20 percent more likely to die from the disease. 
   These statistics are not abstract to her; they are patients, families, and futures she is determined to protect. 
  In her conversation with Preferred Health Magazine, Dr. O’Connor speaks candidly about the critical importance of screening, from colonoscopies to staging procedures, and the lifestyle factors—diet, exercise, smoking—that quietly shape risk long before symptoms appear. Yet her approach goes beyond clinical protocols. She is deeply aware of the emotional toll that follows a cancer diagnosis and emphasizes the necessity of psychological support as part of comprehensive care. Knowledge, she believes, is not only power—it is reassurance, agency, and hope. 
   As colorectal cancer increasingly affects younger patients, Dr. O’Connor continues to lead with compassion and clarity, reminding us that awareness is the first line of defense. One patient, one conversation, one screening at a time, she is redefining what cancer prevention looks like—and proving that lives are often saved long before surgery ever begins. 

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Preferred Health Magazine: For starters, let's talk about your journey in medicine. What made you decide to be a doctor and participate in the medical field? 
Dr. Lynn O' Connor: I always wanted to be a physician. But when I was very young, my mother would take my brothers and I into the city. We were born in Manhattan, raised in Queens, and she'd always take us to New York-Presbyterian | Weill Cornell Medical Center, where we'd have our immunizations and get our checkups. I was just always fascinated by doctors and why our bodies do certain things. How do we heal from the cold? The mechanisms of the body. It was all just fascinating! 
I was very interested in medicine at that time.   
    Initially, I wanted to be a pediatrician, but I ended up doing a surgery rotation and absolutely loved it. This is an area where you were able to effect change right away. And that aligns with my personality. 
In surgery, you have the opportunity to cure. I was doing my surgery residency and did a rotation with the gastroenterologist, who was performing a colonoscopy. And I was like, this is absolutely amazing. I would love to do this, but I only really want to operate on the abdomen. I was told I can be a colorectal surgeon. I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?’   
   And from there, it was absolutely over. I would have been nothing else but a colorectal surgeon, because this is the one area where you can empower your patients. This is my vision: to talk about colorectal cancer screening, healthy eating, exercise, diet, activity, all those things that are preventative, and I go into churches, synagogues, libraries, nursing homes, you know, elder care, wherever it is, schools, to speak to people about this on various platforms. 
 

  
PHM: How do you educate someone when you unfortunately have to tell them that they've been diagnosed with colorectal cancer? 
Dr. O'Connor: First and foremost, most patients come in with signs and symptoms, and by the time you have symptoms, you’re likely already advanced. So, I start by getting a complete history and doing a physical exam. In the office, I usually do an anoscopy. Bleeding can sometimes be benign and caused by hemorrhoids or a fissure— a tear in the lining of the anal canal.    
   Then we schedule a colonoscopy, because it’s the only modality that is both diagnostic and therapeutic. You can see the mass, remove a polyp, or take a biopsy. If cancer is suspected, I sit down and let the patient know, ‘Listen, we may have colon cancer,’ and then we talk about what we need to do to stage it. They’ll need CT scans, blood work, and sometimes an MRI for rectal cancer to help determine treatment. That tells us whether they’ll need surgery alone or chemotherapy and radiation up front. 
   Education continues well beyond diagnosis. We have a soup-to-nuts discussion about what to expect—from prep and surgery to recovery at home. I share what the literature and research show, and together we make a plan. 
   Long-term care is deeply personal. I tell my patients, ‘We get to be best friends.’ I see them every three months at first, then every six months, and eventually yearly. It’s a relationship, and I take that responsibility very seriously.     
   You could save a family member’s life by letting them know you’ve had colon cancer. So many people don’t realize there may be a genetic factor, and that knowledge can change everything. 

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PHM: What are some of the lifestyle habits that contribute to colorectal cancer? 
Dr. O'Connor: There are so many, most importantly, diet, lack of vegetables. You're talking about people who have high-fat diets, high-salt diets, here are red processed foods, a lot of red meat. Those are the diets that contain nitrosamines; those are the diets that we caution people against to make sure that they're eating a better, healthier Mediterranean diet, more fruits, more vegetables, more fiber, more nuts. And some studies show that the types of food we eat also affect our gut microbiome. And our gut microbiome is so important because it affects intestinal health.     
   The intestinal tract is essential for your immune function. So, if the lining of your colon is damaged or broken down, it can allow access to bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which can trigger a cascade of events that could damage the colon. So, you really want to have a healthy colon. 

​    Some of the other risk factors are that people are not exercising. We have a significant sedentary lifestyle. If you pick up the phone in your hand right now, you can order food, order a vacation, or get a car. Childhood obesity rate is soaring in the United States of America. People are consuming sugary beverages, like sodas, which contribute to risk factors. Drinking alcohol excessively, everything really should be in moderation. Smoking and vaping are other risk factors that we talk about; hands down, that's for all types of cancer. 

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PHM: Do you recommend any mental or physical health practices for your patients to help them come to terms with their diagnosis? 
Dr. O'Connor: I think it’s so important to have a strong support group. There are many organizations for people who have had colon cancer, like the Colon Cancer Alliance. Some patients may have ostomies, either temporary or permanent, depending on their treatment. You have to treat not just the patient’s body, but also their mind, and you can’t forget the family—they go through it too.

The entire family needs a coalition of support, and I fully agree that this type of support is essential.

“Once someone is diagnosed, it’s important to get enough rest so the body can recover and heal. Nutrition is critical—patients need proper vitamins, minerals, fluids, and nourishment, especially if undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Complementary therapies like acupuncture or massage can also be beneficial. Patients sometimes take supplements to boost their immune system, which can help, but you have to be careful. Not all supplements are FDA-approved, and some can interfere with treatment. Always discuss medications and supplements with your care team to ensure safety.” 

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Why It Matters:
A colonoscopy is the most effective screening for colorectal cancer—it can detect and remove polyps before they become cancerous. It’s both diagnostic and therapeutic, giving you peace of mind and protection.

When to Start:
• Average risk adults: Begin at age 45 (some guidelines still say 50)
• Higher risk individuals (family history, certain genetic syndromes, or inflammatory bowel disease): 
May need to start earlier
Frequency:
• If your colonoscopy is normal, repeat every 10 years
• If polyps are found, follow-up may be every 3–5 years, depending on type and number
Tips for Preparation:
• Follow your physician’s bowel prep instructions carefully
• Stay hydrated and plan for recovery time
• Arrange transportation, as sedation is typically required

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PHM: How do you plan to continue to raise awareness about this particular form of cancer? 
Dr. O'Connor: Colorectal cancer is preventable, and this is one cancer you can screen for promptly. This is the one cancer where, you know, you can continue to keep reducing the incidence rates. Unfortunately, we're seeing higher incidence rates among younger patients. The older patients have received a screening message, but the younger patients haven't. So, it really comes down to our food sources, lack of activity, and sedentary lifestyle. My hope is to educate, empower, and uplift the community so they have the support to get screened, helping reduce health care disparities. We need to alleviate the stigma associated with getting a colonoscopy or seeking health care, and make sure we're out there championing the cause. This is basically my life's work. 

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Visit Dr. Lynn O'Connor's website  today to learn more about colorectal cancer and the importance of scheduling your colonoscopy test with your doctor today!  
linktr.ee/DrLynnOConnor

Two Locations:
HUNTINGTON LOCATION
• (631) 350-6277 Phone
• (631) 350-2966 Fax
• 380 Park Ave
Huntington NY 11743

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​ROCKVILLE CENTRE LOCATION
• (631) 350-6277 Phone
• (631) 350-2966 Fax
• Ryan Medical Arts Building
2000 North Village Ave, Suite 407
Rockville Centre, NY 11570