Northern Westchester Hospital Promotes Colorectal Cancer Awareness

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. During this month and throughout the year, Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) in Mount Kisco emphasizes the importance of colon cancer screening and educates the community about its minimally invasive techniques to treat those diagnosed with the disease.

In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed a proclamation declaring March National Colorectal Awareness Month to draw attention to the importance of early detection and treatment. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Approximately 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer each year and an estimated 50,000 will die of the disease.  It is very common in both men and women of all ethnic and racial groups, with a slightly higher proportion of men being diagnosed.  It is recommended that everyone have a colon screening by age 50.

Colorectal cancer develops in the lower digestive or gastrointestinal system. This cancer usually develops from precancerous changes or growths (polyps) in the lining of the colon and rectum.

The American Cancer Society recommends that people talk to their doctor about starting colorectal cancer screening earlier and/or being screened more often if they have any of the following colorectal cancer risks: a personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous  polyps, a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, a strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or a known family history of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer.

"With colonoscopy, gastroenterologists are not just looking for early cancer, they are really looking for pre-cancer-polyps that are know to turn to cancer if given time," said NWH's Chief of Gastroenterology Elie Abemayor, M.D. "If the polyp is removed, often with a colonoscope so there's no incision, that's the end of the story. That's one of the ways colon cancer screening really has an advantage over most other types of cancer screenings."

According to NWH's Medical Director of the Colorectal Cancer Program Jerald D. Wishner, M.D., colon cancer is a very treatable, curable cancer when detected early on.   

"Colon cancers take many years to develop, so there's ample opportunity to find that benign tumor or benign polyp and remove it," said Wishner, who is fellowship trained in colon and rectal surgery and in minimally invasive surgery. "In the medical profession, we are making huge strides in treating cancer and some of that is just getting the word out. The earlier it is identified, the easier it is to treat. There are many new advances in surgical treatments for colon cancer."

For a referral to a physician for prevention or treatment of colon cancer, call the Physician Referral Service at 1-866-4-NWHDOC.

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