Logan Memorial offers free preliminary colon cancer screenings

March 1, 2010 (Russellville, KY) - Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer for men and women in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2007, more than 150,000 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 52,000 people were expected to die from this disease.

Those figures are staggering because colorectal cancer is largely preventable. It is also successfully treated 90 percent of the time when found early. The high rate of mortality among people with colon cancer is blamed on the lack of participation in life-saving screenings.

"Less than half of adults age 50 or older have had a colorectal cancer screening within the recommended time period," said Dr. Adam Ellis, a General Surgeon at Logan Memorial Hospital. "When detected at an early stage, colorectal cancer is nearly 100 percent curable, but only 40 percent of the cancers are diagnosed at this stage-mostly due to low rates of screening."

Click here to request your free Take-Home Colon Cancer Kit >> (Kentucky and Tennessee residents only, limited supply available.)

Colorectal cancer can develop from polyps (fleshy growths) that form in the colon or rectum. Polyps and colorectal cancer may not cause any symptoms, especially at first. Over the course of several years, polyps can develop into cancerous growths without the patient even knowing they are there. Through a colonoscopy, a growth can be detected and removed before it becomes cancerous, or when the cancer is in its earliest, most curable stages.

More than 90 percent of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are over the age of 50. Due to this fact, The American Cancer Society recommends that all men and women with a normal risk of developing colorectal cancer begin screening at age 50 following the guidelines below. Talk to your physician about which test is best for you.

Tests that find polyps and cancer

Colonoscopy every 10 years
or Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years* (only if colonoscopy is not available in the area)
or Double contrast barium enema every 5 years* (only if colonoscopy is not available in the area)

Tests that mainly find cancer:

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year*,**
or Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year*,**
or Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*

*Colonoscopy should be done if test results are positive.

**For FOBT or FIT used as a screening test, the take-home multiple-sample method should be used. A FOBT or FIT done during a digital rectal exam in the doctor's office is not adequate for screening.

Anyone with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer should begin screening sooner. (At age 40, or even before. Discuss your risk factors with your physician to determine the appropriate screening method and time frame for you.) Some factors that may put you at an increased risk of developing this disease include a family history of intestinal polyps or colorectal cancer, a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, or a personal history of colorectal polyps or cancer.

"Considering all of the available literature and research, conventional colonoscopy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer." said Dr. Steve Reese, another General Surgeon serving Logan Memorial. "It is better for patients since the examination and polyp removal can be done in the same procedure. It also helps physicians make an accurate diagnosis because they can examine the entire length of the patient's colon."

"The key to preventing, treating, and surviving colorectal cancer is early detection through regular screening. If you are over the age of 50 and have not had a colorectal cancer screening, talk to your doctor about the benefits of being screened," said Dr. Abrar Arshad, a Gastroenterologist at Logan Memorial Hospital.

Logan Memorial Hospital offers a full range of colorectal procedures including: Colonoscopy, Polypectomy, Upper Intestinal Endoscopy, Colon/Intestine Removal, Colon Resection, Hemicolectomy, Hemorrhoidectomy, Hemorrhoidal Disease Treatment, Perianal Abscess, and Sigmoidectomy. Physicians who perform colorectal procedures at Logan Memorial are Dr. Abrar Arshad, Dr. Adam Ellis, and Dr. Steve Reese. Dr. Patrick Hayden performs flexible sigmoidoscopy.

During the months of March and April, Logan Memorial Hospital will offer free Fecal Occult Blood Tests (FOBT) to the community. To request a test kit either call 725-4601 or click here.