A fanastic slide show on colon cancer

Take some time to watch this...


I was looking today for more information for people interested in learning more about colon cancer. This slide show is really good and it explains everything you need to know, at least intitally. I'm interested in colon cancer because it runs in my family and I know that there are a lot of people out there who also have a family history of colon cancer. Take some time and watch this. Just click the link above.

Do you want to know more about colon cancer?

CBS HealthWatch
Colorectal Cancer/Digestive Health Awareness

Webcast March 28th 5:30 pm ET / 2:30pm PT

Approximately 140,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed every year and another 56,000 people die annually of this disease. Colorectal cancer is a disease that can be prevented and cured if detected and treated early.

This March, in recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, CBS HealthWatch™, in partnership with Ethicon Endo-Surgery (EES), the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA), will once again raise awareness for Colorectal Cancer. The initiative will focus on the importance of early detection and will provide a host of information on the topic including treatment options.

We are excited to announce as part of the campaign, CBS will host a live Webcast on Wednesday, March 28th. The event will include a panel of ASCRS medical experts and will be moderated by Dr. Travis Stork of “The Doctors”.

During this special event, our panel of medical experts will answer your questions about:

· Screening methods

· Risk factors

· How to prevent colorectal cancer

· Digestive diseases

· Advances in treatment and more

The event will stream live on CBS Local’s HealthWatch Live beginning at 5:30pm ET / 2:30pm ET on March 28th. Submit your questions now to healthwatchquestions@cbs.com. Selected questions will be read and answered live from the Event by our panel of medical experts.

Dr. Slosberg talks about colon cancer screening

Dr. Slosberg by Deetie

Having a colonoscopy is probably not something we all dream of doing. But colonoscopies can save lives.
Dr. Slosberg practices at Western Washington Medical Group Gastoenterology in Everett. He sees patients at 4225 Hoyt Avenue, Everett WA  98203 and 1909 214th Street SE, Bothell, WA 98021. You can learn more about him at www.wwmedgroup.com/centers/gastroenterology/

One Survivor's Story

For Colon Cancer Awareness Month, I took some time to talk with Barbara Holmes-Erickson, who was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of forty-five. When her physician, Dr. Mu (in picture below) suggested that she get a colonoscopy, she agreed but wasn't expecting what came next.

"Dr. Mu called me at home that very night," she said.  "I was too young," she said. "And I was very much shocked by the news that I had colon cancer."


"It's curable if it's caught in time," Barbara said. "There have been at least twenty people I've referred to have a colonoscopy who have been diagnosed with pre-cancerous polyps. Their lives were saved. I'm always talking to everyone and encouraging them to have this procedure done. I know of many who chose not to and who are no longer with us," she added.

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.

You can find out more about them here.

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

From Health Day

Too Many Americans Skipping 

Colon Cancer Screening

 

FRIDAY, March 2 (HealthDay News) -- Approximately one in three U.S. adults between the ages of 50 and 75 who should be screened for colorectal cancer have not been, according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

As National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month kicks off, the society is reminding older adults about the benefits of a colonoscopy exam to screen for colorectal cancer, which is largely preventable, while offering tips on getting screened.

"Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers because the majority of colorectal cancers arise from precancerous growths in the colon called polyps, which can be found during a colonoscopy screening exam and removed before they turn into cancer," Dr. Gregory Ginsberg, president of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), said in a society news release.

ASGE experts say everyone should be screened starting at age 50, and repeat the screening once a decade thereafter if the initial test results come back normal.

Those with a family history of colorectal cancer should get screened starting at age 40. Other high-risk groups, such as black people and those with inflammatory bowel disease, should discuss getting screened sooner with their doctors.

Before the screening, it is important to follow pre-colonoscopy instructions carefully to ensure the colon is thoroughly cleaned so no polyps or cancers are missed during the procedure, Ginsberg said.

Studies suggest that not following the prescreening guidelines results in more missed polyps.

More information

For more on colonoscopies, visit the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

A survivor tells her story

My name is Barb and I live and

work in the Everett, WA area.

This is the true story of my fight

with colon cancer. 

When I was 31, I had some issues with irregular bowel movements and bloating. My abdomen felt swollen and extended at times and then I started having some pressure type discomfort in my tailbone area, as well as discomfort during sex. So I went to my primary care doctor and he started tests, including a colonoscopy.

Within five days, I was diagnosed with colon cancer and admitted for surgery. After that healed, I had six weeks of radiation.

A colonoscopy is not done in the most fun area of the body and many people don't want to deal with it. But the prep is not that big of a deal and its much better than the alternative could be. I’ve had cancer surgery and two additional surgeries plus the effects from having radiation. All this has taken a toll on my body and it’s hard to imagine why someone would want to go through what I’ve gone through.

I come from a large family and since my cancer diagnosis, my entire family goes in for their colonoscopies. My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer 5 years after me. I have brothers and sisters who have had polyps removed.

As a result of having colon cancer, I have multiple medical issues that sometimes make me feel much older than I am and I get frustrated at times.. The cancer, surgeries, and treatments have heavily impacted my body and the kind of life I live, but I am so thankful to be alive.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate. Get your colonoscopy and make sure that you’re cancer free.