View the 2010 Annual Report - American Society for Gastrointestinal ...

This information is intended to be shared with patients.A message from theAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and your doctor-more-© 2010. American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.2010 ASGE Foundation HighlightsPublic OutreachASGE supports patients’ need for information andmembers’ practices with patient education resourcesASGE Foundation-funded public outreach initiatives focus ondemystifying common endoscopic procedures; raising awareness aboutscreening, available treatments, therapies and diagnostic techniques;providing timely and expert information on questions patients shouldask their doctors; and helping patients find qualified endoscopists.• To help promote National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month(NCRCAM) in March, ASGE produced TV and radio Public ServiceAnnouncements with “CSI: New York” actor Hill Harper to raiseawareness about CRC screening in the African-American community.The PSA was distributed to a television audience of nearly 70 millionand a radio audience of more than 15million, as well as posted on asge.org,ASGE’s screen4coloncancer.org website,and ASGE’s YouTube channel and Facebookpages. The PSA was sponsored by Fujinon,Inc.; a Subsidiary of Fuji Films MedicalSystems, USA.• The ASGE site, screen4coloncancer.org continues to provide up to dateinformation for patients such as press releases, statistics and videos toraise awareness about colorectal cancer.• ASGE officially launched its social mediachannels: Facebook, YouTube and Twitterand has three Facebook pages: theSociety’s page, its colon cancer awareness “Peter and Polly Polyp” pageand GIE journal page. CRC awareness is promoted through each ofthese channels including news, educational videos, and events.• Thousands of Blue Star pins, symbolizing the fight againstcolon cancer, have been distributed to the public throughmembers and various outreach events and also promotedin external and internal communications.• Polyp information sheets explaining what apolyp is and when patients should return fora follow-up exam were created by ASGE tohelp assist members in their practice and ineducating their patients who’ve had a polypremoved during a colonoscopy. A new polypinformation sheet for referring physicians wasalso created with general information aboutpolyps and follow-up exams for use in primarycare, ob-gyn and other specialties’ practices toraise awareness about colorectal cancer.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------General Information About Polyps and Foll o w-u p ColonoscopyThe following information is intended to provide basic information about polyps andgeneral recommendations on follow-up exams. Check with your doctor about the specificresults from your recent colonoscopy and a recommended date for your follow-up exam. There are several different types of polyps, which are growths in the lining of the colon.If a polyp was removed during your colonoscopy, you will receive a report indicating thetype of polyp you had removed. One type of polyp – called an adenomatous polyp (or adenoma for short) – is a benignprecancerous growth which may develop into colon cancer in the future if not removed. Removal of an adenomatous polyp prevents that polyp from becoming cancerous, butyou are still at risk to develop new polyps in your colon. Close follow-up isrecommended. Over the age of 50, approximately 25% of men and 15% of women will have anadenomatous polyp found on a colonoscopy. The presence of a polyp only means that you are at risk for colon cancer. It DOESNOT mean that you will get cancer, however, continued follow-up with your doctor isimportant to minimize the risk of developing colon cancer in the future. If you have a family history of colon cancer, the interval for your follow-up exam may beshortened.• ASGE became the founding sponsor of Gutrunners ; a not-for-profitorganization dedicated to improving digestive health througheducation and exercise. Gutrunners strives to create awareness ofobesity, colon cancer and other digestive disorders by integratingbasic prevention tactics like proper nutrition and exercise as preventivescreening through endoscopyand colonoscopy. Proceeds will godirectly to colon cancer and obesityresearch and patient education andservices including free colonoscopyfor uninsured patients.“Help the ASGE Foundation Reach the Cecum”During the last quarter of 2010, the ASGEFoundation introduced members to a new annualgiving campaign inviting every ASGE member toinvest in the foundation by donating the equivalentof their professional fee for an endoscopicprocedure to the ASGE Foundation.On November 18, the ASGE Governing Board andASGE Foundation Board of Trustees held a phonea-thonto spread the campaign’s message,“Help the ASGE Foundation reach thececum”. In one afternoon, the GoverningBoard and Foundation Trustees personallycontacted over 500 ASGE members whogenerously donated over $30,000 tothe Foundation.With a successful launch, and positive feedback from members, theFoundation looks forward to the continued success of this annual givingcampaign in 2011!Crystal AwardsHosted by ASGE and the ASGE Foundation, the sixthannual Crystal Awards was held in New Orleansduring Digestive Disease Week® at the LouisianaSuperdome, home of the 2010 New Orleans SaintsSuper Bowl Champions. Over500 people attended the eventto honor 2010 award and grantrecipients for their dedicationand leadership in the field ofgastrointestinal endoscopy.Rudolf V. Schindler AwardC. Paul Swain, MDRoyal London Hospital, Dept. of Gastroenterology, London, EnglandDistinguished Service AwardBret T. Petersen, MD, FASGEMayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn.Distinguished Educator AwardSteven A. Edmundowicz, MD, FASGEWashington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Mo.Distinguished Endoscopic Research Mentoring AwardAmitabh Chak, MD, FASGEUniversity Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioMaster Endoscopist AwardTodd H. Baron, MD, FASGEMayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.President’s AwardDavid G. WoodsPentax Medical Company, Montvale, N.J.Congressional Service AwardsCongressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-IL)Congressman Henry A. Waxman (D-CA)6