COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS

EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS

Williamson Medical Group gastroenterologists are passionate about patient education and cancer prevention. When Elizabeth Lindsey, M.D., began preparing for her first screening colonoscopy last year, she decided to document the process through her Instagram stories. Lindsey, one of Williamson Medical Group’s gastroenterologists, is very familiar with the procedure. As board-certified specialists with advanced training in diagnosing, managing, and healing the gastrointestinal system, Lindsey and her colleagues, Eric Sumner, M.D., and Claire Davis, MSN, CFNP, have guided many patients through the process.

Lindsey’s Instagram stories were a way to calm patient fears and educate about colorectal cancer, now the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women. “There has been a 50% increase in colon cancer in patients under the age of 50,” Lindsey said. “And, unfortunately, in these patients there has been an 11% increase in death from colon cancer.”

Sumner agreed, underscoring the importance of early detection and treatment. “Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world,” he said. “We think it can be prevented with early screening.”

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

The month of March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and Lindsey and Sumner want to make sure community members understand the facts about colorectal cancer and why screenings are so important.

SIMPLE CHANGES COULD LOWER YOUR RISK

Eat a healthy diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Alcohol use has been linked with a higher risk of colorectal cancer, so if you do choose to consume alcohol, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.

KNOW THE SIGNS

Most colorectal cancers start as a growth, called a polyp, on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Symptoms that may suggest colon cancer include:

*A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days

*A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that's not relieved by having one

*Rectal bleeding with bright red blood

*Blood in the stool, which might make the stool look dark brown or black

*Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain

*Weakness and fatigue

*Unintended weight loss

SCHEDULE ROUTINE SCREENINGS

Colonoscopies help lower the incidence of colorectal cancer by allowing doctors to remove polyps before they become cancerous. People of average risk should start regular colorectal cancer screenings at age 45, a practice the ACS, American College of Gastroenterology, the U.S. Preventative Task Force, and others all recommend. Always contact your insurer to confirm coverage.

For screening, people are considered to be at average risk if they do not have:

*A personal history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps n A family history of colorectal cancer n A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)

*A confirmed or suspected hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC) n A personal history of getting radiation to the abdomen (belly) or pelvic area to treat a prior cancer

Williamson Medical Group’s gastroenterology practice recently moved to a renovated suite inside Williamson Medical Center’s main tower (4323 Carothers Pkwy, Suite 600, Franklin, TN). Appointments can be made online by visiting www.williamsonmedicalcenter.org/gi/ or by calling (615) 435-7979.

For more information about colonoscopies and their importance, visit WMC’s YouTube page to view a Q&A video about colon screenings, featuring Dr. Lindsey and Dr. Sumner.