Physicians on staff
Dr. Joseph Gaziano, MD, FACG
Dr. Jorge Monteagudo, MD
Concha Sitter, MS, APN, FNP-BC, CGRN
Gastroenterologists are medical specialists with extensive training in
preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases of the digestive system. Most
gastroenterologists are board certified internists who have completed up to
three years of additional training to obtain board certification in
gastroenterology. They specialize in disorders of the esophagus, stomach,
intestines, liver, gall bladder and pancreas. To locate a gastroenterologist
near you, visit the AGA homepage at: www.gastro.org
Read about G.I. CONDITIONS and DISEASES here
Read about Metabolic Testing available at SRFC
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Katie Couric
Katie Couric has put colorectal cancer in the spotlight. At the age of 41,
colorectal cancer was never thought of by Jay Monahan. A legal analyst with
MSNBC, Monahan and his wife, Katie Couric, co-host of NBC's "Today" show,
had their minds focused on their careers and raising two children. Less
than one year after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer Jay Monahan died.
The cancer had spread to his liver.
In memory of her husband, Katie has launched a one-person crusade to raise
awareness of what most people are surprised to learn is the second leading
cause of cancer deaths - colorectal cancer, which claims the lives of
56,000 Americans every year. Monahan had no obvious symptoms. No change in
bowel habits, no constipation or diarrhea. He had no blood in his
stool - at least none that was obvious to him. The lack of easily
recognizable symptoms is not unusual. In fact, colorectal cancer begins
with no symptoms at all. However, over time, there are a number of warning
signs some of which Monahan did experience. He had some of the signs that
are fairly prevalent in people with advanced colon cancer: unexplained
weight loss, fatigue, and some abdominal pain. Severe abdominal pain is
eventually what prompted Monahan to see a physician, but by then it was too
late, his cancer was in the advanced stages.
Other common symptoms of colorectal cancer include:
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
- Change in bowel movements (especially in the shape of the stool (Eg. narrow like a pencil)
- Frequent gas pains
- Discomfort in moving your bowels or the urge to do so when there is no need to.
However, for most people, regardless of whether they are experiencing any
symptoms, it is important to get screened for colorectal cancer, starting at
age 50.
Cancer of the colon is probably the most treatable and survivable of all
cancers - if it is detected early through proper screenings. Colorectal
cancer develops from adenomatous (non-cancerous) polyps, which are
grape-like growths on the inside wall of the colon or rectum. Polyps grow
slowly over three to 10 years, and some may become cancerous, while others
may not. It is important to get screened to find out if you have polyps,
and to have them removed if you do. Removal of polyps has been shown to
prevent colorectal cancer. For people who are at average risk and age 50
and older, screening is essential. Talk to your physician about which of the
following screening tests would be best for you.
-- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT): An FOBT tests stool for the
presence of blood that is invisible to the eye. FOBT is recommended
annually for people at average risk, beginning at age 50.
-- Sigmoidoscopy: A physician uses a long, flexible, lighted tube
to check the rectum and the lower part of the colon for polyps and
cancer. If a polyp is found, it can be sampled through the sigmoidoscope
and sent to a lab to be tested. A sigmoidoscopy, which takes about 10
minutes, is recommended every five years beginning at age 50 for people
at average risk.
-- Colonoscopy: An endoscopist inserts a long, flexible, lighted
tube - called the colonoscope - through the anus to view the entire
colon and rectum for polyps or cancer. The patient is required to
drink a bowel cleansing preparation before the procedure. The colonoscope
has a computer chip at the end, which can project images on a TV screen.
If a polyp is found, it can be removed by a wire loop that is passed
through the colonoscope and sent to a laboratory to be tested to
determine if it is cancerous. A colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years
beginning at age 50 for people at average risk.
-- Barium enema: This test is an x-ray examination of the entire
colon and rectum. Barium enema may be used as a substitute for
colonoscopy every five to 10 years. This method can, however, miss
small polyps and does not permit removal of any polyps that may be
discovered, so anyone undergoing barium enema may need a subsequent
colonoscopy.
Katie Couric co-founded the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance
Awareness (NCCRA) with a mission to raise awareness of the seriousness of
colorectal cancer and to increase the number of people receiving preventive
testing. People should feel comfortable talking about this disease. People
need to discuss it with their doctors and the doctors need to be more
proactive and willing to bring it up with their patients.
Couric, who recently underwent a colonoscopy, urges people to get over
any squeamishness or trepidation they might have and get screened.
Related Web Sites
GERD Information Resource Center
www.gerd.com
All About GERD - Visit DrKoop.com
www.drkoop.com
Find out what causes GERD and which drugs are used for treating GERD at WebMD.com
www.my.webmd.com
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Hiatal Hernia and Heartburn) at National Institute of Health
www.niddk.nih.gov
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