Digestive Health Specialists
As a disease with potentially devastating consequences, colon cancer demands our unwavering attention and concerted efforts toward early detection and prevention, which is why proactive screening for colorectal cancer is pivotal. Let’s explore the critical importance of colon cancer screening in fostering community health and the latest screening guidelines, and shed light on the symptoms […]
In the intricate world of our genetic makeup, certain factors may predispose us to various health conditions. One such aspect is Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases the risk of developing certain cancers, including colon cancer. Let’s discuss our genes and explore the link between Lynch syndrome, hereditary cancer, and the heightened probability of […]
To continue Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to cover another area of concern in the Hispanic community, cancer. It is the leading cause of death among Hispanics overall. For colorectal cancer specifically, the estimated death rate is 13% in men and 9% in women. We would like to discuss 3 reasons why this is an […]
Colorectal cancer is now the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States among men and women combined, accounting for over 52,000 lives lost per year. It is expected that more than 153,000 more people will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023. And although there is an 89% survival rate when this cancer […]
Laura Heath is the newest histotechnologist to join the Digestive Health Specialists Pathology Laboratory. She transitioned from the Winston-Salem Endoscopy Center to the Pathology Laboratory at the end of November 2022. As the newest member of the team, we wanted to ask her a few questions. What attracted you to pathology? I used to love […]
In the last few weeks, colon cancer was frequently featured in the news because of the passing of a few public figures due to colon cancer. They were actress Kirstie Alley age 71, Virginia Rep. Donald McEachin age 61, Broadway actor Quentin Oliver Lee age 34, and Ronnie Turner, Tina Turner’s son, age 62, and […]
Colon cancer is highly preventable and treatable. It is estimated that in 2022, over 100,000 people will be diagnosed, and over 40,000 people will die from colorectal cancer in the United States. The key to improving these statistics is to ensure that every person completes a routine colon cancer screening test, which can stop the […]
Colon cancer is common and can be fatal Colon cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer and cancer deaths in the United States Men and women are affected equally 50,000 Americans die every year of colon cancer Colon cancer is being diagnosed at younger ages, and therefore, the recommended age for first screening […]
Based on guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the current colon cancer screening age recommendations for average-risk African-Americans is 45 and the recommended screening test is a colonoscopy. Why is there such an emphasis on the African American community? Because African Americans have the highest incidence and […]
In memory of Black History Month, we bring attention to some African American celebrities and public figures we have lost to colon cancer. Chadwick Boseman American actor Age 43 (1976-2020) Image from Richmond Free Press Natalie Desselle-Reid American actor Age 53 (1967-2020) Image from IMDb Donald M Payne Former United States Representative Age 77 (1934-2012) […]
