Florida Hospital Best in Care - Winter 2012 - (Page 6)

Rita Roberts has been cancer-free for more than four years. Screening 101 According to the American Cancer Society, 90 percent of colon cancers occur in people older than 50. Screenings catch changes before they become cancerous, and removing polyps helps prevent progression to cancer. Screenings include a test for blood in the stool and an outpatient exam called a ﬂexible sigmoidoscopy, which uses a tiny camera to visually examine the lower third of the colon. A colonoscopy, which looks at the entire colon, is preferred, and may be considered for higher-risk patients or if standard exams indicate the necessity for further investigation. Routine screening begins around age 50, unless there’s a family history or other highrisk factors, so talk with your physician to determine what’s right for you. A New Attitude A ﬁght with advanced colon cancer makes Rita Roberts rethink her views on screening. When asked, Rita Roberts, 71, of Orlando, doesn’t think her story is special. The fact that she beat stage IV colorectal cancer speaks otherwise. In 2006, the semi-retired commercial interior designer was facing stage IV cancer that had spread to her liver. After telling Rita Timothy Childers, the cancer was incurable, her doctor MD, General ordered chemotherapy and suggested Surgery she get her a airs in order. Rita’s daughter, Alesia Keller, refused to concede and began researching better options. That’s when they met Ahmed Zakari, MD, medical director of Gastrointestinal Cancers for the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, and Timothy Childers, MD, general Ahmed Zakari, MD, surgeon. Hematology and “I feel certain if we hadn’t found Medical Oncology Drs. Zakari and Childers that Mom wouldn’t be here,” Alesia says. “They were very aggressive in her treatment, and I believe that made the di erence.” After two operations to remove the cancer and more than 60 percent of her liver, as well as reconstructing her colon and several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, Rita’s cancer is in remission. FEB U.S.News & World Report recently recognized Florida Hospital as one of the nation’s top hospitals for treating digestive disorders. COLONOSCOPY: IT’S NOT AS BAD AS YOU HEAR Join Dr. Zakari at 5:30 pm, February 15, at Florida Hospital Orlando as he dispels myths, explains detection procedures and discusses warning signs and new treatments. Save your seat by calling (407) 303-BEST (2378) today! THE POWER OF SCREENING Rita admits she didn’t go for regular screenings. The closest she came, she says, was a stool test (fecal occult blood test) three years earlier. “While cancers of the colon and rectum [the last sections of the digestive system] are extremely common, they’re some of the most curable when detected early,” says Dr. Zakari. “That’s because most colorectal cancers start as small, non-cancerous tissue growths called polyps. Finding and removing these polyps stops cancer before it starts.” For some folks, there’s still a stigma attached with the test because it involves a part of the body and bodily functions that most people don’t discuss in polite conversation. A recent report from the Colon Cancer Alliance, a patient advocacy group, noted fear as the main reason older adults cited to explain why they hadn’t gone for a colonoscopy. Rita hopes by sharing her story that she can persuade others to get past this attitude and go for the test that could save their lives. “Now I go for a colonoscopy regularly, and I recommend it to everyone I know,” she says. After all, Rita plans to be around for a long time to enjoy her family and travel extensively. HEALTHY 00tips CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS CONSCIOUSLY One way to be positive is to surround yourself with positive people. Today, ﬁnd that person whose optimism warms your soul and commit to spending more time with him or her. 6 For questions or to RSVP to events, call (407) 303-BEST (2378).

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Florida Hospital Best in Care - Winter 2012

Florida Hospital Best in Care - Winter 2012