Conquering Colon Cancer - Renown Health

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Renown institute foR canceR 2 4 coNteNts Conquering colon cancer local survivors speak about the importance of screenings Renown joURneY Features TomoTherapy ® offers mosT advanced TreaTmenT available | 12 TomoTherapy ® offers patient benefits in the treatment of colorectal and esophageal cancer is iT in The genes? | 14 Genetic testing offers local patients answers to tough questions Kid-cenTric | 16 Kid-inspired infusion center to open in Spring 2009 Joining forces | 18 Renown works with the NVCC to improve cancer care in the state ahead of The Trend | 20 Renown Institute for Digestive and Liver Care leads the way in digestive health advanced TreaTmenT Tool | 22 PET/CT images ensure that patients receive the most accurate treatment modeling The way | 24 Renown becomes model-site for physician-guided robotic surgery leading The way | 26 Nurses help cancer patients with support and guidance 24 modeling the way The da Vinci ® Robotic Surgical System offers numerous patient benefits clinical Trials: leading-edge medicine | 8 Clinical trial offers hope to colorectal cancer patients physician profile | 11 “Dr. G” brings additional skill and expertise to the area welcome | 27 Meet Dr. Mary Schultheis, colon and rectal surgeon 11 iN every issue Physician Profile: Dr. G “I want to have an impact on the community.” – Christos Galanopoulos, MD, FACS wellness & prevenTion guide | 28 Find out what cancer screenings you should have communiTy ouTreach | 30 Renown at community events evenTs calendar | 31 Learn about cancer support groups and other events announcemenTs | 32 A look at new programs, initiatives and promotions at Renown Institute for Cancer finding your way | 33 Directions to Renown Institute for Cancer direcTory | 33 Find a list of helpful phone numbers Leading-edge medicine Clinical trials bring the latest sciences to those with cancer r e n o w n JouRney volume 1, issue 2 Phyllis Freyer vice presidenT, marKeTing and communicaTions eDitoriaL boarD Kim tulman direcTor of marKeTing ayse e. caglar Linda W. Ferris, Ph.D. vice presidenT, renown insTiTuTe for cancer marKeTing business parTner Jenna mcQuattie marKeTing business parTner Leah Nelson marKeTing coordinaTor conTribuTing phoTographers: april stokes, Jeff Dow 8 renown.org 3
Renown institute foR canceR 4 cover story WRITTEN by DoN Cox Conquering colon cancer Prevention is key; treatment is top-notch at renown B Ill mandeRs wouldn’t Budge when a doCtoR at Renown RegIonal medICal CenteR suggested he get a ColonosCopy. “no, I won’t do that,” manders told his doctor. “my doctor said I was bleeding internally. she said I needed to get a colonoscopy. anything with an ‘oscopy’ I didn’t want to do.” manders, 57, a well-known northern nevada radio personality, was being stubborn. But so was his doctor. “she didn’t give me an option,” he said. finally, manders did as he was told and got the colonoscopy. It’s a good thing that manders’ doctor was persistent. the colonoscopy revealed a cancerous polyp. manders had the polyp removed at Renown. he’s back on the air from 3 to 6 p.m. monday through friday, living proof that early detection saves lives. the importance of screenings for colorectal cancer, early detection is key. “It’s very preventable,” said victor Chen, md, a gastroenterologist with gastroenterology Consultants in Reno. “It’s easily treatable by removing the polyps. ninety percent are treatable if they’re diagnosed with screening.” Initial screening is recommended by age 50 for patients without a history of colorectal cancer. screening should occur sooner if there is a family history. “people should undergo a colonoscopy 10 years prior to when their relatives were diagnosed,” said mary schultheis, md, a colorectal surgeon with general & vascular associates in Reno. for example, if your father was diagnosed at 55, you should be screened starting at age 45. “there are different screening tests that can be done,” dr. schultheis said. “a colonoscopy is the best. the entire length of the colon can be examined. polyps can be removed and biopsies can be done.” polyps are abnormal growths rising from the lining of the large intestine (colon) and protruding into the intestinal canal. some polyps are flat and others have a stalk. most colonoscopies take between 30 and 60 minutes, including polyp removal, with no need to stay in the hospital. the majority of polyps can be removed during Renown joURneY the exam. however, large polyps may require more than one treatment for complete removal. some polyps can’t be removed by instruments because of their size or position and surgery may be required. symptoms of colon cancer can include rectal bleeding, abdominal pain or anemia. early screening can result in polyps being removed before they become cancerous. polyps go through a very predictable cycle of going from non-cancerous to cancerous,” dr. schultheis said. “Colon cancer has a very high cure rate if detected early.” But nevada is one of the worst states in the nation for colorectal cancer screening. In 2004, only 36.7 percent of state residents age 50 or older underwent a colonoscopy, compared to 45.1 percent compliance nationally. “It’s one of the lowest in the nation,” dr. Chen said of nevada’s screening percentage. last year in nevada there were 1,120 reported new cases of colorectal cancer. “It’s all preventable,” said Christos galanopoulos, md, a specialist in cancer surgery with general & vascular associates. “It all hovers around that polyp. If we can catch that, we can prevent cancer.” “it’s very preventable. ninety percent are treatable if they’re diagnosed with screening.” Victor Chen, MD a team of specialists screening and treatment. that’s what the Renown Institute for Cancer is all about. “It’s rare to find a facility with a five to 10 year plan,” said dr. galanopoulos, who specializes in gastrointestinal surgical oncology. “Renown has put a lot of equipment and people in place. they are looking at the big picture.” dr. galanopoulos is one of those people. Because of his specialty, he was recruited by general & vascular associates Continued on page 6 “i was very fortunate. it was nice to know we have incredible doctors locally.” Audrey Smith, colon cancer survivor renown.org 5
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Conquering Colon Cancer - Renown Health

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