COVID-19 has had far-reaching impacts on our lives, with medical procedures and surgeries deemed “elective” postponed in order to slow the virus’s spread. In reality, these procedures are far from optional: delaying medical interventions can result in increased health problems, such as later-stage cancer diagnoses.

Increased Patient Safety Measures to Combat COVID-19

In recent weeks, we have resumed elective cases and implemented a number of protocols to ensure your safety as you take charge of your health and schedule procedures at our ambulatory surgery centers. These measures include:

• Screening everyone who enters the center for COVID-19 symptoms
• Taking the temperature of every person who enters the center
• Requiring masks for all employees and patients
• Enforcing social distancing guidelines
• Requesting patient escorts remain in the car until patient is ready to go home
• Increasing cleaning of high-touch surfaces throughout the day
• Providing hand sanitizer and tissues

Learn more about all of the steps we are taking to keep you safe.

Patients Feel Safe at our Centers

Patients who have already returned to the centers have first-hand experience of the new protocols in action. Their feedback has been extremely positive, with reactions like:

“During this COVID-19 time, I was especially nervous about my procedure but was immediately greeted by the friendliest nurse around. She was very courteous and kept asking if I was fine. She prepared me for the procedure by carefully doing everything that needed to be done and listened to me. The rest of the staff was also very professional and took great care of my needs. Thank you all for a great experience that I hopefully won’t have to repeat for a while.” – San Antonio, April 2020

“Even during these crazy times, I was treated with the utmost respect, courtesy, and care. My doctor and her amazing team took the necessary steps to make sure I wasn’t put at greater risk during my procedure. They ensured all my questions were answered, and I was 100% ready going into and out of the procedure.” – Escondido, April 2020

“Sanitary, safe, NICE and COMPASSIONATE staff!! Thank you SO MUCH to all of my nurses throughout the entire experience!” – Lakeside, AZ, May 2020

Safely Schedule a Procedure

With increased safety measures in place, there has never been a better time to schedule that colonoscopy; doing so could save your life! Stop putting it off and call your gastroenterologist today.

A new study finds daily aspirin can lower colon cancer risk, but some doctors warn against regular aspirin use because of possible side effects.

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about colon cancer and take steps toward prevention. Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but most cases are preventable with regular colonoscopies and screenings. Preventing colon cancer is always less expensive than treating the disease, so researchers are continually performing studies to test new methods of prevention.

Through a recent study conducted at City of Hope Hospital in Duarte, California, Ajay Goel, Ph.D., M.S., discovered aspirin can prevent colon tumors from returning and even from forming. Goel and his research team used mice and mathematical modeling to mimic the different amounts of aspirin people in Europe and the United States take daily.

The researchers gave three different aspirin doses to mice that had four different colon cancer types. As aspirin doses increased, colon tumor cells died and fewer tumor cells divided. The team also found daily doses of aspirin prevented colon cancer from recurring.

“We are getting closer to discovering the right amount of daily aspirin needed to treat and prevent colorectal cancer without causing scary side effects,” Goel said. Goel plans to continue his research on aspirin and colon cancer, and he is optimistic about future findings. “We are now working with some of the people conducting those human clinical trials to analyze data and use mathematical modeling,” he said. “This process adds a layer of confidence to the findings and guides future human trial designs.”

Potential Dangers of Daily Aspirin

Goel’s aspirin study provides encouraging news for colon cancer research. Doctors have prescribed aspirin for decades to prevent blood clots in arteries and lower risk for stroke. It is inexpensive and readily accessible worldwide. However, cardiologists do not recommend daily aspirin for middle-aged, healthy men and women unless a doctor prescribes it. Daily aspirin can be dangerous for individuals who:

• Are allergic to aspirin
• Have had a brain bleed
• Have a bleeding disorder
• Have a stomach ulcer
• Have asthma that is made worse by aspirin use (University of Michigan)

Get a Colonoscopy During Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Call your gastroenterologist during Colon Cancer Awareness Month to schedule a colonoscopy. It is estimated that there will be 50,000 new cases of colon cancer this year, but you can prevent colon cancer by scheduling regular colon cancer screenings.

The American Cancer Society recommends all adults who are at average risk for colon cancer begin screening at age 45, but Medicare and many insurance carriers do not cover screening colonoscopies until age 50. Talk with your doctor about colon cancer screening guidelines so you can get screened at proper intervals, and call your insurance provider to get the most updated information about your plan. Awareness is the first step in colon cancer prevention, so spread the news about the importance of colon cancer screening.

According to a study in Ontario, Canada, you are more likely to get a colonoscopy if your family doctor has undergone screening.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that one out of three American adults who are due for colorectal cancer screenings are not getting screened. There can be many reasons patients avoid preventive colonoscopy screenings. Patients may neglect colorectal cancer screenings because they:

• Do not carry health insurance
• Have limited contact with or do not have a primary care physician
• Have not been advised by their primary care physician to be screened
• Lack the proper information on how to be screened

When Physicians Get Screened, Patients Get Screened

Amit X. Garg, M.D., Ph.D., and fellow research colleagues at Western University in Canada administered a population-based study that sought to find a connection between colorectal cancer screening rates among physicians and their patients in Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Garg found that the colonoscopy rate was 67.9 percent among physicians and 66.6 percent among patients. The research team found patients were more likely to comply with colonoscopy when they were aware that their family doctors had undergone colonoscopy screenings themselves.

The study suggests family doctors have a significant influence on their patients’ decision to get screened for colon cancer. If doctors disclose that they have already chosen colon cancer screening, their patients will be more likely to follow their example.

“Conversely, many physicians report difficulty counseling patients about behaviors they do not practice themselves,” the researchers stated in their report. “Given the clear benefits of colorectal cancer screening, programs that promote greater screening in physicians warrant consideration.”

Make Your Colonoscopy Screening Appointment

A colonoscopy is one of the most effective preventive screenings because it stops colon cancer before it starts. During a colonoscopy, the doctor can carefully inspect the entire colon lining for polyps and can remove any suspicious growths so they do not become cancerous. No other colon screening offers the protective benefits of colonoscopy. This screening is also effective in diagnosing digestive disorders like diverticulitis, diverticulosis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Make an appointment today for a colonoscopy and make your digestive health a priority this year. A few hours can offer up to ten years of protection against colon cancer, so call your gastroenterologist.

You may think you do not need a colonoscopy because you feel healthy. Will Smith made the same assumption, but he was wrong.

Will Smith Makes Colonoscopy Vlog for Fans

Smith, 51, was a little late in scheduling his first colonoscopy. The U.S. Preventative Services Task force recommends adults begin colon cancer screening at age 50, but African Americans should get screened earlier. In fact, the American Cancer Society suggests colon cancer screening for all adults at average risk for colon cancer should begin at age 45 because young onset colon cancer incidence has steadily increased each year.

As a joke, Smith decided to create a colonoscopy vlog for his YouTube channel. He felt perfectly healthy, and he thought his video would amuse his fans. “I’m 50,” he said, “so people need to look up my stuff.”

After the procedure, Smith thought everything was normal. A few days later, he received a phone call from his gastroenterologist, Dr. Ala Stanford, saying he had a “tubular adenoma with precancerous tissue.” The doctor explained to Smith that he had a type of precancerous colon polyp, a small abnormal growth in the colon. She said many people have the faulty assumption that colon disease always has noticeable symptoms.

“Had you not known, it continues to grow and grow and grow,” Dr. Stanford said. “And African American men in particular, the right colon is where cancer is high. … You would’ve had fewer typical symptoms. And by the time you presented, it could be full-blown and spread throughout your body.”

Smith said, “You know, when I decided I wanted to shoot this as a vlog, it was much more, ‘Hey, this will be cool. This will be fun.’ I didn’t realize that there would be a precancerous polyp that would get found out of it.”

Common Colon Cancer Myths

Today, colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. However, most cases of colon cancer are preventable with routine screening. Unfortunately, many Americans believe common myths about colon cancer like these:

Avoid falling prey to these colon cancer myths. Follow Will Smith’s example, call your gastroenterologist and get screened today.

A new study says colonoscopy offers at least ten years of protection against colon cancer mortality.

Colon cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death in the United States, but it is preventable with routine colon cancer screenings. According to the American Cancer society, about half of all colon cancer mortality in the U.S. could be prevented if all adults scheduled timely colon cancer screenings.

Colonoscopy Reduces Colon Cancer Risk

There are many types of colon cancer screenings, but colonoscopy is the most effective method because it is the only test that can detect and remove colon cancer in the same procedure. Under current guidelines, patients who have a colonoscopy with normal findings should get screened again in ten years. However, is this still the best method for preventing colon cancer?

According to Jeffery K. Lee, M.D., MAS, patients should feel confident about the current recommendation of a minimum ten-year interval between colonoscopies with normal findings. Dr. Lee and colleagues examined data from a large-scale study that included more than 1.2 million individuals to assess when patients should schedule their next screening following a normal colonoscopy.

For patients who declined colonoscopy, colon cancer incidence and colon cancer-related death increased proportionally with follow-up time. Patients who chose regular colonoscopies had very favorable results. Average risk patients with normal colonoscopy test results were 46 percent less likely to develop colon cancer and 88 percent less likely to die of colon cancer when screened at recommended ten-year intervals.

“A minimum colorectal rescreening interval should be conducted at 10 years or possibly longer after a normal colonoscopy,” said Dr. Lee (Physicians Weekly).

When Should I Get Screened for Colon Cancer?

Your colon cancer screening interval depends on your risk for colon cancer. In May 2018, the American Cancer Society revised its colon cancer screening recommendations, suggesting all adults at average risk for colorectal cancer should schedule an initial screening at age 45 instead of age 50. The ACS altered the guideline because young-onset colon cancer incidence continues to increase, and this type of cancer tends to be aggressive and difficult to diagnose among the young.

Certain risk factors may increase your risk for colon cancer. Some of these risk factors include:

• Age
• Polyps (growths inside the colon and rectum) that may become cancerous
• A high-fat diet
• Family history of colon cancer or polyps
• Inflammatory bowel diseases involving the colon
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Radiation therapy for cancer

When and How Often Should I Get Screened?

The best way to prevent colon cancer is to stay in regular contact with your primary care physician and your gastroenterologist. Your risk for colon cancer is unique to you. Ethnicity, family history and lifestyle habits influence your colon cancer risk, and these factors could influence your recommended colonoscopy interval.

After making an appointment with your GI doctor, call your insurance provider. Many insurance plans will not pay for a colonoscopy until 50 years of age, so call your provider to get the most up-to-date information about your policy. If you are at higher risk for colon cancer, your doctor may encourage you to get screened earlier. Keep in mind that a colon cancer screening today can prevent your risk of expensive medical bills in the future.

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reports intriguiging findings regarding body composition and obesity. Although obesity is a major risk factor for colon cancer, body fat in specific locations increases colon cancer death risk. Body fat in “unhealthy” locations doubles colon cancer patients’ mortality risk within seven years of diagnosis.

Body Fat and Gender

Previous research led physicians to believe all stored body fat was dangerous. According to Justin C. Brown, Ph.D., Director of the Cancer Metabolism Program at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, the relationship between fat storage and health is complicated.

Dr. Brown and his team analyzed health outcomes of more than 3,200 colon cancer patients who had colon cancer in stages I, II and III, and they discovered the location of body fat influenced the risk of colon cancer mortality among men and women.

Surface abdominal fat was more dangerous for men. Male colon cancer patients with high percentages of abdominal fat just under the skin were twice as likely to die within seven years of diagnosis as men with small amounts of belly fat under the skin.

For women, visceral fat was more dangerous. Visceral fat is fat that is stored deep within the abdominal cavity and surrounds vital organs such as the pancreas, liver and intestines.

CT Scans and Colon Cancer Treatment

Dr. Brown says the new research could help doctors develop customized colon cancer treatment plans. Patients often undergo computed tomography (CT) scan before surgery to determine whether cancer has metastasized, or spread, to other organs. Dr. Brown suggests CT scans may serve another purpose:  determining the location and the amount of stored abdominal fat.

The team intends to conduct more research, but this study underscores the importance of regular doctor visits to evaluate overall health.

Know Your Risk of Colon Cancer

Are you aware of your risk for colon cancer? The odds of developing colon cancer are about five percent, or one in twenty. Certain factors can increase your risk for developing the disease. These include:

• Age
• High-fat diet
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Alcohol use
• Family history of colon cancer or colon polyps
• Inflammatory bowel disease

A common myth is that only older adults develop colon cancer, but young-onset colon cancer incidence is increasing every year. Unhealthy habits and poor lifestyle choices can put you at risk for digestive disease. However, you can take charge of your health and lower your risk for colon cancer by:

• Eating a high-fiber, low-fat diet
• Limiting fatty meats, red meats and processed meats
• Eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains
• Getting 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day
• Visiting your doctor for annual well visits
• Getting routine colon cancer screenings

Make an Appointment with Your Gastroenterologist

According to the American Cancer Society, adults who are at average risk for colon cancer should start getting screened at age 45. If you are at increased risk for colon cancer, you may need to get screened earlier. Call your GI doctor and ask if you need to schedule a colon cancer screening. Most preventive screenings are covered by Medicare and private insurance, so call today for an appointment.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) temporarily reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but a GI doctor can treat the root cause of heartburn.

Acid Reflux vs. GERD

Is your heartburn getting worse and not sure what to do next? If you are trying to control chronic heartburn with over-the-counter medication, you are only masking the symptoms. It’s time to consult a gastroenterologist.

Getting prompt treatment for heartburn is important because persistent acid reflux is a common symptom of GERD, a condition that can damage the esophagus and cause esophageal strictures, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer.

Common symptoms of GERD include:

• pain in the chest
• burning throat
• regurgitation
• persistent cough
• belching after meals
• sore throat

What are PPIs?

Unlike antacids like Tums or Rolaids which neutralize stomach acid, PPIs block acid production in the stomach. Some of the most common over-the-counter PPIs include Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, Protonix, Aciphex and Dexilant. These medications are effective, inexpensive and available without a prescription, but recent studies link long-term PPI use with possible serious health risks like osteoporosis, low magnesium, low vitamin B12, stroke, pneumonia, dementia and C. difficile infections.

How Long is Too Long to Use Over-the-Counter PPIs?

Over-the-counter PPIs are generally considered safe for eight weeks to help you heal from acid-related complications like frequent heartburn. If you still need PPIs after eight weeks, you should see a gastroenterologist to determine whether the PPI is still necessary. A GI doctor is trained in diagnosing digestive disorders and diseases and can help you get to the root cause of acid reflux.

Some upper GI issues do not require PPIs and you may find more relief from natural, holistic approaches like dietary changes, weight loss, exercise and sleep modifications. Your gastroenterologist can perform necessary tests and suggest the best course of treatment for your specific condition.

Is Long-Term PPI Use Dangerous?

If you are currently under the care of a gastroenterologist who has prescribed a long-term PPI, you should take your medication as directed. Your GI specialist has determined the PPI is beneficial for healing, maintenance of healing and long-term control. Certain conditions like Barrett’s esophagus can benefit from long-term PPIs. However, you should see your GI doctor regularly so he or she can periodically reevaluate your PPI dosage. The goal is for you to be on the lowest possible dose that brings effective healing.

GI Doctor vs PCP

You may think going to your primary care physician (PCP) will be equally effective, but this is not the case. A gastroenterologist is better equipped to diagnose and treat upper GI problems and symptoms than a general practitioner. This is because gastroenterologists are required to complete a gastrointestinal medicine fellowship, meaning three additional years of training following a residency in internal medicine. GI doctors use diagnostic testing like an upper endoscopy to view the lining of the esophagus and even take a tissue biopsy if necessary. When you make an appointment with a GI doctor, you are putting your digestive health in the care of an expert.

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, more than 60 million Americans suffer from heartburn at least once a month and more than 15 million experience acid reflux daily. Are you one of these individuals? Call today to make an appointment with a fellowship-trained gastroenterologist so you can experience long-term relief.

A recent study links exercise with a decreased risk of developing abnormal colon tissue or polyps that can lead to colon cancer.

Proper eating habits and regular physical activity are two essential components for healthy living, but a new study at the Chinese University of Hong Kong suggests exercise is particularly important in preventing colon cancer.

Martin Wong, researcher at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and senior author of the study, says regular physical activity may make people 23 percent less likely to develop precancerous growths in the colon. Furthermore, those who exercise regularly may be 27 percent less likely to develop a particular type of precancerous growths that are aggressive and are more prone to progress into colon cancer.

Although the study did not reveal how exercise reduces the risk for colon tumors, the researchers believe physical activity could improve digestion, which reduces the time acid or carcinogens are in the digestive tract. Another theory is that exercise could lower blood sugar by making the body more efficient at using insulin to convert glucose into energy.

Inactivity, Obesity and Cancer Risk

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than three-quarters of the U.S. population is not getting enough exercise and is putting their health at risk. The obesity rate is approaching 40 percent, and inactivity and poor eating habits are two of the main contributing factors.

Exercise provides many benefits besides decreasing colon cancer risk. Some of these benefits include:

• Improved cardiovascular fitness
• Weight management
• Bone and muscle health
• Lower cholesterol
• Lower blood pressure
• Improved mood
• Enhanced brain function

Vandana Sheth, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, underscores the importance of regular exercise. “Physical activity is inversely associated with any type of colorectal neoplasia in both men and women,” said Sheth. “Increasing physical activity and decreasing sedentary behavior can have a significant positive impact on our overall health, especially in terms of colorectal neoplasia.”

Get Screened to Prevent Colon Cancer

One common myth about colon cancer is that young people do not develop the disease. However, no one is too young to get colon cancer, and the incidence of young-onset colon cancer continues to rise each year.

The American Cancer Society recommends all adults at average risk for colon cancer begin colon cancer screening at the age of 45. Individuals who have certain risk factors for colon cancer should talk to their doctor about getting screened earlier. Some of these risk factors include:

• Family history of colon cancer
• Personal history of precancerous growths or polyps
• Family history of hereditary colon cancer, like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome

Call Your Gastroenterologist

How long has it been since your last colon cancer screening? Call your gastroenterologist and ask when you need to schedule your next exam. A colonoscopy is the most comprehensive type of colon cancer screening because it can detect and prevent colon cancer in a single procedure. The best news is that a clear colonoscopy means you probably will not need to be screened for another ten years!

Commit to your health by giving colon cancer a double-punch. Call your GI doctor and get some exercise.