A COLONOSCOPY SAVED MY LIFE!

It Could Save Yours, Too!

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and Western Washington Medical Group’s (WWMG) Gastroenterology Department and Endoscopy Center are getting the word out early this year and encouraging the public to get screened for colorectal cancer not only in March but all throughout the year.

Barbara Holmes-Erickson and Dr. Mu



When Barbara Holmes-Erickson was 45, she was diagnosed with colon cancer.  She was absolutely shocked that she could have it, but has been very grateful to Dr. Mu who found the disease.



"I am so glad that Dr. Mu of Western Washington Medical Group requested that I have a colonoscopy," she said, "At the age of 45, I thought I was too young to worry about colon cancer."

In fact, a colonoscopy is not a normal procedure for someone as young as Barbara.  "That procedure saved my life," Barbara continued. Ten years later, Barbara's cancer treatments are completed and she is now cancer free.  "If there is one thing I learned and can pass on, there are few symptoms. Schedule your colonoscopy today," she said. "The disease can be 100 percent curable if it is caught at an early stage and treated."



March 2nd is Dress in Blue Day



Colon cancer is the second largest killer among all cancers, and the third most common cancer.

The goals of a screening colonoscopy are to detect colon cancer at an early and curable stage, when there are no symptoms; and to prevent colon cancer by removing precancerous polyps.

Dr. Mu is one of eight gastroenterologists at Western Washington Medical Group's Gastroenterology Department. They perform over 4,000 colonoscopies each year at their Endoscopy Center in Silver Lake. The Center is the only Accredidation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) accredited Endoscopy unit in Snohomish County.  They are also an ASGE Recognized Endoscopy Unit.