March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an observance dedicated to encouraging patients, survivors and caregivers to share their stories, advocate for colorectal cancer prevention, and raise awareness about the importance of early detection. It’s also a great opportunity to schedule your recommended colorectal cancer screening.
Clinicians at UHS suggest everyone age 45 and older should be screened for colon cancer, with some being encouraged to get screened earlier if there is a family history. Colon cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
Last year, UHS shared the story of employee and patient Dawn McClenon, who experienced the life-changing impact of early detection firsthand. Following her own journey, Dawn’s trusted guidance made an equally profound difference for her friend, Denise Wright.
At a check-up with her primary care provider at UHS Primary Care Norwich, Denise was prescribed a Cologuard test – a non-invasive, at-home colon cancer screening. Denise had been experiencing symptoms including soft stool and occasional stomach pain, and suspected they could be the early signs of a more serious problem.
“Dawn and I are very good friends, so I knew what she’d been through, and I thought I might be in the early stages of something similar,” Denise shared.
When the Cologuard test came back positive, Denise consulted her primary care provider to determine next steps. That’s when Dawn referred her to Noelle Tomazic, NP, of UHS Gastroenterology Binghamton, who played a critical role in helping Dawn navigate her own colon cancer diagnosis. After a virtual consultation with Noelle, Denise immediately felt reassured.
“I was very comfortable after talking to Noelle,” she said. “I felt like I had not just a great provider, but someone who cared for me the way Dawn cared for me – as a friend.”
Noelle scheduled her for a colonoscopy with Amanke Oranu, MD, at UHS Binghamton General Hospital. When she awoke from the procedure, Denise learned that the colonoscopy could not be completed because a large tumor had been found 27 centimeters away from the rectum, and their tools could not get around it. Dr. Oranu strongly suspected the tumor was cancerous.
Denise was then referred to Sandeep Sirsi, MD, of UHS Surgery at Wilson Square. Dr. Sirsi successfully removed the tumor, and took an extensive number of lymph nodes to determine if the cancer had spread, which later came back clear. Several follow-ups with Dr. Sirsi have shown that everything looks positive following the surgery.
While Denise was initially anxious about the procedure, she shared that her entire team of caregivers made her feel comfortable and totally at ease. “I felt so loved in that office. Dr. Sirsi’s bedside manner was second to none,” Denise shared. “Mary, my nurse navigator who set me up with Dr. Sirsi, was there for my first appointment. She explained everything to me and assured me I would be in very good hands.”
Mary also scheduled her for an appointment with James Lee, MD, PhD, of UHS Medical Oncology. When genetic testing came back negative, Dr. Lee determined that Denise’s cancer was “random” – a finding that brought her relief to know that her son did not face an increased hereditary risk.
Denise will continue to see Dr. Lee every six months over the next three years for screenings. She is also scheduled for her next virtual appointment with Noelle this summer, followed by another colonoscopy in November, a year from the day of the tumor removal. She feels grateful for the care she’s received at UHS, attributing her positive outcome to the efficiency with which she was able to see the providers and specialists she needed.
Today, Denise is committed to leading a healthy lifestyle. “I walk two and a half miles every day, I eat more green vegetables – UHS gave me my life, and I’m not going to waste it,” she said, encouraging everyone to take a proactive approach to their colon health so they might have a similar outcome. “A colonoscopy may be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t compare to how your family will feel if you’re not around.”
Denise’s story is a testament to not just the power of expert, compassionate care, but to the life-changing impact of trusted guidance from a friend. Dawn’s own experience with UHS helped ensure her friend received the timely, high-quality care that made a world of difference in her colon cancer journey. This Colon Cancer Awareness Month, UHS encourages you to have a conversation with a loved one and refer them to the care they need – it may just save their life.
Screening choices
Colon cancer is often referred to as the “silent killer,” because symptoms don’t typically appear until the cancer has advanced. Two out of three people diagnosed with colon cancer have no family history of the disease. However, when detected and treated early, the five-year survival rate for colon cancer is 90%. Colon cancer is largely preventable. Nearly all cases begin as polyps, and removing these polyps can prevent the cancer from developing in the future.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults aged 45 to 75. Individuals at an increased risk of colorectal cancer should talk to their doctor to determine the appropriate starting age for screening, which test is right for them, and how often they should be tested. For most people, screening should begin around 45 and continue at regular intervals. However, your provider may recommend you be tested earlier or more frequently if you have:
- Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps
- A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome)
There are several screening options, any one of which can be a true lifesaver. A colonoscopy is widely regarded as the best option and is recommended once every 10 years. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society, a colonoscopy can detect pre-cancerous polyps, which can be removed during the screening procedure. Typically, the colonoscopy is performed under sedation in a hospital or at an outpatient center.
There are also two common alternatives to a colonoscopy:
- A stool DNA test is an at-home test that requires no prep and is recommended every three years if the prior screening came back normal.
- A fecal immunochemical or fecal occult blood test, recommended yearly, is another at-home test requiring no prep.
It’s important for everyone to stay up-to-date with vital health screenings, tests and procedures. A primary care provider or specialist can help you determine the best option for you and make the appropriate referral.
During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, UHS encourages you to have that important conversation with your provider and encourage your loved ones to do so as well. To learn more about UHS Gastroenterology services, click here.