{"id":11671,"date":"2021-11-26T19:50:27","date_gmt":"2021-11-26T19:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/?p=11671"},"modified":"2021-11-26T19:50:55","modified_gmt":"2021-11-26T19:50:55","slug":"45-is-the-new-50-new-recommendations-for-colorectal-cancer-screening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2021\/11\/26\/45-is-the-new-50-new-recommendations-for-colorectal-cancer-screening\/","title":{"rendered":"45 Is the New 50: New Recommendations for Colorectal Cancer Screening"},"content":{"rendered":"

Colorectal cancer, although one of the most curable types of cancer when caught at an early stage, remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.<\/p>\n

Working together, the experts at the Cooper Digestive Health Institute and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper offer advanced colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis and give new hope to patients with colorectal cancer.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/a>\u201cThe majority of colorectal cancers are found in people over 65, but in the over-50 population, incidence rates have actually been declining,\u201d says Adam B. Elfant, MD, Head, Division of Gastroenterology at Cooper Digestive Health Institute. \u201cThese positive changes are likely due to an increase in colon cancer screenings in this age group. Screenings give us the ability to catch cancer early and even prevent cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, cases have been rising in people younger than 50, prompting organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to recommend colorectal cancer screenings to start at age 45. \u201cThese new screening recommendations are well supported,\u201d says Dr. Elfant.<\/p>\n

Screenings can be done with tests taken at home with stool samples (FIT test or Cologuard) or with imaging-based tests performed by physicians, such as colonoscopy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe advantage of a colonoscopy, which is considered the \u2018gold standard\u2019 for screening, is that it provides definitive results, and if polyps are found, we can remove them during the procedure\u2014actually preventing cancer,\u201d says Dr. Elfant.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the best screening test is the one that gets done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advanced Treatment for Colorectal Cancer<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or another GI cancer, one of the most important decisions you will need to make is where to go for care. At MD Anderson a t Cooper, our collaborative, team approach to cancer care improves the patient\u2019s experience and promotes better outcomes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost patients are seen by a medical oncologist, a surgeon, and a radiation oncologist when appropriate. Each patient\u2019s case is reviewed with a group of experts from different cancer specialties during our weekly tumor board,\u201d says Steven J. McClane, MD, FACS, FASCRS, Head of Colorectal Surgery at MD Anderson at Cooper. \u201cDuring these collaborative meetings, the team develops a personalized treatment plan for each patient. The plan may include surgery, medical treatments such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, radiation, and other cutting-edge options.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kinjal Dargan, MD
\nMedical Oncologist<\/td>\n		Adam B. Elfant, MD
\nHead, Division of Gastroenterology<\/td>\n		Danica N. Giugliano, MD
\nColorectal Surgeon<\/td>\n		Steven J. McClane, MD
\nHead, Colorectal Surgery<\/td>\n		David J. Mulvihill, MD
\nRadiation Oncologist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Surgery<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cSurgery is a common treatment for many GI cancers, including colorectal cancer. In some cases, it can be used alone, but more often, it is combined with radiation and\/or medical therapy,\u201d says Danica N. Giugliano, MD, Colorectal Surgeon at MD Anderson at Cooper.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe attempt to use the most minimally invasive procedure possible for each patient. Minimally invasive procedures offer patients a small incision size, which affects how the patient will do in their immediate recovery and in their return to normal activity and function,\u201d says Dr. Giugliano.<\/p>\n

Advanced Medical Treatment<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cDepending on the type of GI cancer and the needs of the patient, our GI cancer team sometimes uses medical treatments to shrink the cancer before surgery,\u201d says Kinjal Dargan, MD, Medical Oncologist and GI Cancer Specialist at MD Anderson at Cooper. This approach can make surgery an option for patients with otherwise inoperable tumors.<\/p>\n

It can also make the procedure safer and more effective. After surgery, medical treatments can be used to treat cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes or to relieve symptoms of GI cancer that has spread to other areas of the body.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to chemotherapy, our team may use targeted drug therapies,\u201d says Dr. Dargan. \u201cTargeted therapies attack the specific gene, proteins, or the tissue environment that aids cancer growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy cells.\u201d<\/p>\n

Powerful, Precise Radiation Treatment<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cIn addition to offering patients advanced surgical and medical treatment options, we have been able to become more precise with radiation therapy,\u201d says David J. Mulvihill, MD, Radiation Oncologist, MD Anderson at Cooper.<\/p>\n

An exciting new option is the MR-Linac device, an innovative radiation technology that combines a powerful magnetic resonance imaging machine and a linear accelerator into a single device. MD Anderson at Cooper is one of only five cancer centers in the U.S. to offer patients this radiation treatment option.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe technology allows us to deliver pinpoint radiation that we can adjust as the tumor responds, or as things shift in the body during the treatment process. With the MR-Linac device, we can minimize side effects and reduce the number of treatments for our patients,\u201d says Dr. Mulvihill.<\/p>\n

Supportive Care Services<\/strong><\/h2>\n

MD Anderson at Cooper supports patients throughout their cancer journey by providing a full range of supportive care services, including genetic counseling and testing, social work services, nutritional counseling, integrative oncology, and complementary medicine therapies, to help patients to manage the many physical, emotional, and social challenges that can accompany their diagnosis and treatment.<\/p>\n

The support we provide starts with our nurse navigators, who guide patients through the entire process.<\/p>\n

Close to Home<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Patients who have colorectal and other GI cancers require frequent visits for evaluation and treatment. With three comprehensive care centers and multiple offices located throughout South Jersey, you\u2019ll find that our cancer experts are always close to home:<\/p>\n