IN Peters Township April/May 2019 | Page 63

INDUSTRY INSIGHT YOUR HEALTH SPONSORED CONTENT Have Have you you had had your your screening? screening? O O ne of the most common cancers may surprise you. Colorectal actually the third most ne of the most is common cancers may common surprise cancer you. diagnosed in males and the second most common Colorectal is actually the third most common cancer cancer diagnosed in females. In 2018, this type of diagnosed in males and the second most common cancer was responsible for 145,600 new cases cancer diagnosed in females. In 2018, this alone. type One of and 50,630 deaths in the United States responsible for of 145,600 cases piece of good cancer news is was that the occurrence colorectal new cancer has and over 50,630 deaths in the in United alone. One decreased by 2% the last 20 years patients States over 50. The overall piece lifetime of good is that the occurrence risk news of colorectal cancer is 5%. of colorectal cancer has decreased by 2% over the last 20 years in patients over 50. The overall lifetime of colorectal cancer 5%. of General Surgery at Washington We risk talked to Dr. Brent Angott, is Head Health System to find out more about this unfortunately common cancer. to Dr. Brent Angott, Head of General Surgery at Washington We talked Health System to find out more about this unfortunately common According to Dr. Angott, there are risk factors in developing colorectal cancer. cancer. The largest risk factor is age: 90% of the cases occur over the age of to 50. Dr. Heredity also an factor accounts colorectal for 5-10% According Angott, is there are important risk factors in and developing of the There also is several diseases that increase the over overall cancer. The cases. largest risk are factor age: 90% of the cases occur the risk of colorectal cancer. These diseases include ulcerative colitis, age of 50. Heredity is also an important factor and accounts for 5-10% Crohn’s disease, previous abdominal radiation, Cystic Fibrosis, history of the of cases. There are also several diseases that increase the overall large or dysplastic colon polyp, Acromegaly and renal transplant. risk of colorectal cancer. These diseases include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s previous radiation, Cystic obesity, Fibrosis, history Risk disease, factors that have a abdominal causal relationship include diabetes, of large dysplastic colon polyp, and meats, renal transplant. long or term ingestion of red meats Acromegaly and processed tobacco usage and alcohol consumption in heavy and moderate drinkers (two or Risk greater factors drinks that have a causal relationship include obesity, diabetes, daily). long term ingestion of red meats and processed meats, tobacco usage Warning consumption signs are rectal bleeding, or diarrhea, weight and alcohol in heavy and constipation moderate drinkers (two or loss, anemia, greater drinks cramping daily). and pain. There signs are ways to help bleeding, prevent colorectal cancer. Physical weight activity is a Warning are rectal constipation or diarrhea, loss, major factor, in fact it is observed to decrease the occurrence of this anemia, cramping and pain. cancer by 27% as compared to inactive people. Consumption of raw may be somewhat preventative, research shows There fruits are and ways fiber to help prevent colorectal cancer. some Physical activity is a a benefit but others do not. major factor, in fact it is observed to decrease the occurrence of this cancer by 27% as some compared to inactive raw There are also supplements that people. you can Consumption add to your diet of that fruits may and help fiber you may be somewhat preventative, some research shows a decrease your risk. Vitamin B6, Calcium, Vitamin D, benefit but others garlic, do not. Magnesium, Omega 3 fatty acids and caffeine are all on this list. There is also a lot of research that recommends aspirin and NSAIDs There for are also some that you can add taking to your them diet after that prevention. Dr. supplements Angott personally recommends may help you for decrease your risk. There Vitamin Calcium, Vitamin surgery large colon polyps. is a B6, 20-40% reduction in D, colonic adenomas (colon polyps) 3 and 50% reduction in colorectal Magnesium, garlic, Omega fatty a acids and caffeine are all on cancer. this list. There is also a lot of research that recommends aspirin and NSAIDs for prevention. Dr. Angott personally recommends taking them after surgery for large colon polyps. There is a 20-40% reduction in colonic adenomas (colon polyps) and a 50% reduction in colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, one out of three succumb to this disease. The best way to increase one the chance of survival is to find it early, which The is why Unfortunately, out of three succumb to this disease. best screening is so important. Dr. Angott advises that surgery is often way to increase the chance of survival is to find it early, which the is why best way to treat colorectal cancer. There are several different choices screening is so important. Dr. Angott advises that surgery is often the of surgery, including endoscopic mucosal resection (removal of the best way to treat colorectal cancer. There are several different choices tumor through a colonoscope), standard resection (removing the tumor of surgery, endoscopic (removal of the via incision) including and laparoscopic (small mucosal incisions) resection or robotic-assisted tumor through a colonoscope), standard resection (removing the tumor laparoscopic resection. via incision) and laparoscopic (small incisions) or robotic-assisted laparoscopic resection. Dr. Angott prefers to use minimally invasive surgery for the best results. He has performed laparoscopic colon resections for over 15 years. Dr. Angott prefers to use minimally invasive surgery for the best results. Laparoscopy has been shown to produce the same results as standard surgery with decreased hospital colon stay, resections pain and complications. He has but performed laparoscopic for over 15 years. Laparoscopy has been shown to produce the same results as standard Despite ways to help prevent colorectal cancer, Dr. Angott surgery all but the with decreased hospital stay, pain and complications. stresses that the most important is to get preventative screenings. There are all several types to of help screenings, colonoscopy Despite the ways prevent including colorectal cancer, Dr. among Angott others. The recommended age for a is basic screening starts screenings. at 50 stresses that the most important to get preventative and continues until life expectancy is less than ten years. People with There are several types of screenings, including colonoscopy among different histories will vary on screening age and frequency. Dr. Angott others. The recommended age for a basic screening starts at 50 recommends talking with your doctor for recommendations on when and should continues life expectancy is less than ten years. People with you begin until screening. different histories will vary on screening age and frequency. Dr. Angott recommends talking with your doctor for recommendations on King when Written by Emily you should begin screening. Written by Emily King Need to make an appointment with a surgeon? Need make an appointment Call the to WHS Physician Referral with a surgeon? Line at (724) 250-4310. Call the WHS Physician Referral Line at (724) 250-4310. Brent Angott, MD Head of General Surgery Washington Health System Brent Angott, MD Head of General Surgery PETERS TOWNSHIP Washington Health System ❘ APRIL/MAY 2019 61