BCHS surgeon to speak on prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. It surpasses both breast and prostate cancers in mortality, and second only to lung cancer in numbers of cancer deaths. Colon cancer is a malignant tumor in the lining of the large intestine. It starts with a single cell that mutates and grows into a visible polyp, which then may develop into cancer.
Dr. Sridhar Chalasani, colorectal surgeon at Battle Creek Health System will speak on Wednesday, March 2 at Burnham Brook Center about preventing colorectal cancer. This educational program is part of the National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month activities with the goal of increasing awareness that colorectal cancer is largely preventable, treatable, and beatable.
The program, part of Senior Health Partners’ ongoing ‘Aging Well’ series, is free to the public. A light luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by Dr. Chalasani’s presentation at noon. Seating is limited. For reservations call toll free 1-877-Go2-BCHS (877-462-2247).
“Even though colorectal cancer is highly preventable, it is estimated that more than 145,000 cases were diagnosed in 2010 and over 45,000 people were projected to die of the illness,” says Dr. Chalasani. “It is also one of the most easily prevented cancers because it can develop from polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous. Because many people are embarrassed to talk about this disease, there are many myths about colorectal cancer that need to be refuted. An almost equal number of men and women are diagnosed each year.”
Physicians agree that if a polyp is allowed to remain in the colon it can grow into a cancerous tumor that can invade other organs. Since polyps take about three to seven years to become cancerous, prevention means stopping this process by removing them before they become cancerous. Found in the early stage of becoming cancerous, surgery, sometimes in conjunction with radiation and chemotherapy, can address the cancer before it can spread. Research shows that early detection is the real key to preventing and eliminating colorectal cancer. Regular screenings, a more healthy diet, and regular exercise can go a long way toward lowering your risk of colorectal cancer.
Senior Health Partners is a community collaboration founded by Battle Creek Health System and includes the Area Agency on Aging, CentraCare, and Summit Pointe all working together around the shared mission of improving the health and wellness of older adults and family caregivers.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations–Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle Creek Health System, a member of the Mercy Cancer Network, is a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement(r) as designated by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network. BCHS, a nonprofit hospital, provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.
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About the Presenter
Dr. Sridhar Chalasani received his post baccalaureate program and medical degree from Rangaraya Medical College. He completed his general surgery internship and residency at York Hospital in Pennsylvania and a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery through the Grand Rapids Area Medical Education Center in affiliation with Ferguson Clinic.
He joined the Battle Creek Health System medical staff in 2002 and is affiliated with the Colon and Rectal Surgery Center, PC.
Obesity And Physical Inactivity Significantly Raise Breast Cancer Risk
Very obese women have a 35% higher risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer and a 39% higher risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, scientists reported in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Physical inactivity was also associated with a higher chance of developing breast cancer. The authors say their findings hint at mechanisms beyond estrogen at play.
Triple-negative breast cancer is characterized by a lack of progesterone, estrogen and HER2 expression. Between ten to twenty per cent of all breast cancers of this type. Because of a lack of well effective medications, triple-negative breast cancer tends to have very poor outcomes.
Amanda Phipps, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, said:
“Breast cancer is not just one disease. It is a complex combination of many diseases. The fact that we found an association with triple-negative breast cancer is unique because, biologically, this subtype is very different from other breast cancers.”
Scientists who study the patterns of health and illness and associated factors at the population level, epidemiologists, have long been aware of an association between obesity and postmenopausal breast cancer risk. We also know that greater physical activity reduces breast cancer risk. The authors explained that “A relationship between adipose tissue and estrogen is thought to contribute to this risk.”
Phipps and team gathered information from 155,723 females who had enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative. Levels of baseline BMI (body mass index) and physical activity among 307 females who had had triple-negative breast cancer, as well as 2,610 who had estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer were assessed.
They found that:
Those with the highest BMIs had a 35% higher chance of developing triple negative breast cancer
Those with the highest BMIs had a 39% higher chance of developing estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
The most physically active women had a 23% lower risk of developing triple negative breast cancer
Those with the highest levels of physical activity has a 15% lower risk of developing estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
Amy Trentham-Dietz, Ph.D., raised the following questions:
“The body of literature, primarily meta-analyses, has shown most of the risk between obesity and breast cancer to be among the estrogen receptor-positive subtypes. This paper raises questions about the possible role of growth factors or inflammation, but these will need to be explored with larger patient groups with known breast cancer subtypes, especially triple-negative breast cancers.”
Reducing cancer risks
“Cancer” can be a scary word for many. While you can’t escape genetics, there are many environmental and lifestyle factors that you can control when it comes to reducing your risk of cancer. During National Cancer Prevention Month—observed every February—Fox Chase Cancer Center and Pottstown Memorial Medical Center offer some important tips to help you reduce your risk.
Don’t smoke or use tobacco.
Smoking cigarettes is linked to an increased risk of developing many types of cancers, including bladder, cervical, esophageal, kidney, lung, oral, pancreatic, and stomach cancers, as well as acute myelogenous leukemia.
“Quitting smoking, or not starting the habit at all, is the best thing you can do to help prevent cancer, no matter your age and even if you’ve smoked for years,” says Dr. Kalyani Narra, hematology/oncology physician at Pottstown Memorial Regional Cancer Center.
In addition, the use of other tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, has been linked to an increased risk of oral and pancreatic cancers. Even if you don’t smoke, being around those who do can increase your risk of cancer through exposure to secondhand smoke.
Eat a healthy diet.
Make an effort to include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet, as well as whole grains and beans. Limit your intake of red meats and high-fat foods. And if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
Get regular exercise.
Research has shown that people who lead a physically active lifestyle have a lower risk of certain cancers than those who are sedentary. These types of cancers include colorectal cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer, and endometrial cancer. Exercising and eating right also will help you maintain a healthy weight. This is important as obesity can increase your cancer risk.
Aim to fit about 30 minutes of exercise into your daily routine. Find something you enjoy, whether it’s going for a brisk walk, playing a sport, riding your bike, or taking a fitness class.
Protect your skin from the sun.
“Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause freckles and wrinkles, of course, but in more serious cases, sun exposure can lead to skin cancer,” says Dr. Narra. “Even in winter, the sun’s UV rays can do damage to your skin.”
Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher every day. Limit sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wear sunglasses with 99-100 percent UV absorption to protect your eyes and the surrounding skin. Avoid other sources of UV light, such as tanning beds and sun lamps.
Guard against infections.
Certain viruses and bacteria can cause cancer. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical cancer. It is also linked to increased risk of anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, oropharyngeal, and squamous cell skin cancers. The HPV vaccine is available to men and women age 26 and younger.
Hepatitis B causes hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver, and is linked to an increased risk of liver cancer. It is transmitted by blood and sexual contact. The hepatitis B vaccine was the first vaccine able to prevent cancer—liver cancer—and is widely used around the world. It was developed by Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Baruch S. Blumberg, M.D., Ph.D., and his team after their discovery of the hepatitis B virus in 1967 for which Blumberg was awarded the 1976 Nobel Prize in medicine.
Get regular cancer screenings.
Be proactive about your health by getting screened for various types of cancers, such as skin, colorectal, prostate, cervical, and breast cancers. Regular screening can increase your chances of discovering cancer early, when it can be treated most effectively.
“It is important to talk with your doctor about cancer screening, when you should begin having certain screenings, and how often,” says Paul F. Engstrom, M.D., senior vice president of extramural research programs at Fox Chase Cancer Center and medical director of Fox Chase Cancer Center Partners. “If you are concerned about your risk of cancer or your family’s risk, you also may want to make an appointment with Fox Chase’s Risk Assessment Program.”
As a Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner, Pottstown Memorial Regional Cancer Center has early access to new research discoveries on cancer prevention and treatment. Fox Chase Cancer Center Partners is a select group of community hospitals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey affiliated with Fox Chase Cancer Center to provide the latest in cancer research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in their own communities. Fox Chase Cancer Center Partners offers patients, families, and their physicians enhanced resources to deal with the burden of cancer, including the newest clinical trials.
