Preventing and Treating Colorectal Cancer | flourish

We?ve read and heard a lot lately about?Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of regular screenings, managing lifestyle risk factors and understanding our family health history. But what is colorectal cancer, and what does it mean if a cancer, or pre-cancerous polyp is found?

First of all, although colorectal cancer is one of the more common cancers, it is important to understand that it is also one of the most treatable and preventable forms of the disease. If detected early, 80 to 90 percent of cases are curable.

Colorectal cancer usually develops slowly over several years with the tumor typically beginning as a noncancerous polyp. Polyps are small, tumor-like growths that can become cancerous. There are two types of colorectal cancer: colon cancer and rectal cancer. Colon cancer develops when cancerous cells form polyps in the longest part of the large intestine. Rectal cancer occurs when cancerous cells form polyps in the last few inches of the large intestine before reaching the anus.

The reason why we recommend everyone begin colonoscopy screenings at age 50 ? or age 45 for African Americans ? is, quite simply, because it saves lives. A colonoscopy can prevent cancer by detecting and removing polyps before they become cancerous, and can diagnose cancers at an early, more treatable stage. When colorectal cancer is found early, the patient benefits from less aggressive treatments and overall better outcomes.

If polyps are found, they can be removed during screening and tested for cancer. If found to be benign (noncancerous), there is no chance of them growing and becoming malignant (cancerous). If colorectal cancer is found, surgery is often the main treatment. In addition, chemotherapy and/or radiation may be recommended for certain cases.

Summa Health System has fellowship-trained laparoscopic surgeons, like myself, who have performed hundreds of benign and malignant cancer surgeries. The laparoscopic approach involves making four half-inch incisions on the abdomen ? as opposed to an eight to ten-inch incision on the abdomen in an open surgical procedure ? through which a camera and three instruments are placed to remove part of the colon.

Laparoscopic surgery has the same clinical outcomes as open surgery but with additional benefits including quicker recovery, less time in the hospital, less pain, less chance for wound complications and hernias, faster return to diet and an earlier return to normal life. Generally, patients are discharged after only two to three days in the hospital and return to activities can occur within one to two weeks.

John G. Zografakis, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Director, Advanced Laparoscopic Surgical Services
Summa Health System

Get the colonoscopy that could save your life! To schedule a colonoscopy with Summa, call 888-720-5318 or visit summahealth.org/colon to learn more.

Source: http://www.summaflourish.org/2012/03/preventing-and-treating-colorectal-cancer/

total eclipse of the heart jionni lavalle earthquake san francisco donald payne elizabeth berkley mlb 12 the show sabu