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In January 2006, Dr. Malkemus began writing dental health articles for The Community
Voice newspaper. He wanted to give back to the community and share his passion for
health, as well as his observations of the remarkable planet around us. Current
and past articles are provided here. To view his articles as they appear, see the
Health, Beauty, and Fitness Section at www.thecommunityvoice.com.
Other Resources
Preventing Colorectal Cancer
Katie Couric’s Crusade – Preventing Colorectal Cancer
By George A. Malkemus DDS
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Katie Couric’s Crusade - Colorectal Cancer: “Get Tested” is the feature article in the “Healthy Smile” magazine that I am sending to all my patients this spring. I can speak personally to the importance of being tested for colorectal cancer. It has been three years since I was found to have colorectal cancer from a colonoscopy. I am doing great with no reoccurrence after undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. I am very lucky and happy to be alive.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States after lung cancer. Each year, there are about 52,000 deaths from colorectal cancer and about 154,000 new cases detected. It is equally common in both men and women. It is also one of the most easily prevented cancers if discovered early. The cancer develops from polyps that can be easily removed at the pre-cancerous stage if they are detected early with a colonoscopy. I could have avoided my stressful involved treatment if I had been tested earlier.
In the last few years, death rates from colorectal cancer are down, partly due to improved treatments, but mostly from early detection. Katie Couric’s crusade to increase awareness on the importance of testing has had a major impact in reducing colorectal cancer through early detection.
Katie Couric became the first solo female news anchor in network history when she replaced Dan Rather at the CBS Evening News in September 2006. Before that she spent 15 years on NBC’s top-rated Today Show. Katie’s husband, attorney Jay Monahan, died of colon cancer in 1998. At a U.S. Senate hearing, she told of being the wife of a colorectal cancer victim. “During this terrible struggle, I got a quick and painful education about this devastating disease. But I also learned that it has a 90 percent or better cure rate when detected early.” Intent on proving that colonoscopy is virtually painless, she underwent the procedure on the Today Show in 2000. Couric founded the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance, which has raised more than $28 million to promote the importance of colorectal cancer screening and support colorectal cancer research.
Only a small percentage of the people who would benefit from a colorectal screening proceed with the testing. There are several weak reasons people don't get the colorectal screenings. People say they are inconvenient, that the preparation prior to the test can be unpleasant, and many simply don't understand the importance of regular colon screenings. The fact remains; regular colorectal screening for both men and women is the best way to monitor colon health and to catch any problems early.
Like Katie Couric, I do not find the colonoscopy uncomfortable, and I have had the procedure seven times. A colonoscopy entails taking a video of the rectum and colon in order to look for abnormalities and polyps. It is actually interesting for me to look at my insides on video. The video is somewhat similar to the video camera that I use for dental examinations in the office, letting the patient look at their mouth and being involved in treatment decisions.
Two-thirds of the people who get colon cancer have no family history of the disease. In my case, no one in my family history had colon cancer. If you have a parent, brother, sister, or child who has had colon cancer, then early testing is even more important for you. I encourage everyone to get a colonoscopy by age 50. Most colon cancers occur in men and women who are 50 or older. At age 55, my cancer was detected at an advanced stage, just 3 months after symptoms began. I was in great health when I was diagnosed; it was quite a shock. My cancer had been there for over 2 years. If detected early, colon cancer is easy to successfully treat. If you wait like I did, treatment becomes much more involved, the results are much less predictable, and the survival rates are much reduced. I am one of the lucky ones to have survived.
If you haven't had a colon screening or feel you are due to have one, talk to your doctor and get yours scheduled today. It may save your life. I know it saved mine!
ENJOY LIFE AND KEEP SMILING!
George Malkemus has had a Family and Cosmetic Dental Practice in Rohnert Park for over 22 years at 2 Padre Parkway, Suite 200. Call 585-8595, or email info@ malkemusdds.com. Visit Dr. Malkemus’ new Web site at http://www.malkemusdds.com
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