Laguna Beach Magazine March/April 2023 | Page 16

Misagh Karimi , M . D .

Scientists at City of Hope , one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States , have developed a novel blood test that can potentially be used to detect early-onset colorectal cancer , which has been on the rise in younger adults in recent years .

“ This research is a first step to noninvasively and inexpensively detecting colorectal cancer at an earlier and more treatable stage ,” said Misagh Karimi , M . D ., a colon cancer specialist at City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center in Irvine and the director of clinical operations at City of Hope Newport Beach Fashion Island . “ More research is needed , but this finding could help fill a void in the cancer prevention and early detection field .”

The findings are just one of the many research breakthroughs at City of Hope . In fact , City of Hope ’ s cancer discoveries impact 100 million lives around the world each year .

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer , according to the U . S . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The rate of colon or rectal cancers in people younger than 50 years old has been on the rise — an alarming trend , given that colon cancer in younger adults tends to be more aggressive and found at later stages .

As a result , the recommendation to begin regular colorectal cancer screening has been moved to start at age 45 .

City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center , Orange County ’ s most advanced comprehensive cancer center , offers state-of-the-art colorectal cancer screenings , including colonoscopies , stool DNA testing and genetic testing .

Here , world-renowned physician-scientists conduct breakthrough research in colorectal cancer , offer access to innovative clinical trials and provide compassionate care rooted in more than 100 years of expertise .

Patients benefit from fully integrated , multidisciplinary cancer care — from prevention through survivorship — in one convenient location . Patients have access to City of Hope ’ s 600 physicians and more than 1,000 scientists and researchers who only focus on cancer and more than 800 clinical trials being conducted at City of Hope each year .

“ This all adds up to your best hope against colorectal cancer — from diagnosis to survival ,” Karimi said .

For more information , visit CityofHope . org / OC . To make an appointment at any of our five Orange County locations , call 888-333-HOPE ( 4673 ).

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