Information Pipeline: WVU Medicine Camden Clark promotes colon health with display
The “Strollin’ Colon” inflatable exhibit made a visit to WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center Monday as the center has joined with the WVU Cancer Institute to promote the statewide Colorectal Cancer Awareness campaign throughout the month of March. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Dr. Sabir Hussain, medical oncologist, Dr. Mohamed Barakat, gastroenterologist and Dr. Jeff Ryckman, radiation oncologist, pose for a picture with the “Strollin’ Colon” inflatable exhibit Monday as WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center has joined with the WVU Cancer Institute to promote the statewide Colorectal Cancer Awareness campaign throughout the month of March. (Photo Provided)
The “Strollin’ Colon” inflatable exhibit made a visit to WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center Monday as the center has joined with the WVU Cancer Institute to promote the statewide Colorectal Cancer Awareness campaign throughout the month of March. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Dr. Sabir Hussain, medical oncologist, Dr. Mohamed Barakat, gastroenterologist and Dr. Jeff Ryckman, radiation oncologist, pose for a picture with the “Strollin’ Colon” inflatable exhibit Monday as WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center has joined with the WVU Cancer Institute to promote the statewide Colorectal Cancer Awareness campaign throughout the month of March. (Photo Provided)
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PARKERSBURG -- WVU Medicine Camden Clark welcomed the "Strollin' Colon," a 10-foot by 12-foot inflatable colon exhibit, to Medical Office Building B Monday to raise awareness of colon cancer screenings as part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
"Today we're celebrating Colon Cancer Awareness Month, which is essentially a month where we are trying to emphasize the importance of colorectal cancer screening to try and reduce mortality and morbidity from this disease. And highlighting the risks and benefits of streaming," Dr. Mohamed Barakat, gastroenterologist, said.
WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center has joined with the WVU Cancer Institute to promote the statewide Colorectal Cancer Awareness campaign throughout the month of March. The "Strollin' Colon" demonstrates what a healthy colon looks like along with what it looks like when colon cancer and other conditions are present. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths for men and women combined in the United States and West Virginia.
Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 23 for men and 1 in 26 for women. In West Virginia, an estimated 1,120 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and 440 will likely die. Yet, it is one of the most preventable cancers.
"Screening saves lives," Dr. Sabir Hussain, medical oncologist, said. "Early screening, early diagnosis, early treatment."
Hussain said symptoms could include bleeding, change in bowel habits – like alternating constipation with diarrhea – or worsening constipation and weight loss.
Dr. Jeff Ryckman, radiation oncologist, said the biggest focus should be on getting people in for screening. He said invasive tests are the gold standard but there are alternative options available that are noninvasive. They are just not as proven, he said.
"I think, by far, the most important thing is just getting your loved ones in, and yourself in, and to get these tests when they're indicated so we can catch stuff early. We can keep you home with your family and loved ones, not coming in for more intensive treatment, which can happen if we were to wait until symptoms. By the time symptoms develop, you know, it could be too late."
For more information on Camden Clark Medical Center and the advanced healthcare and wellness programs offered, visit www.camdenclark.org and follow them on their social media.
Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com