March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S.

In the month of March we are working to increase awareness that lives can be saved with screening. and colorectal cancer often can be prevented.

There is no shame in preventing cancer, and there are no reasons not to undergo screening. I have done my colonoscopy myself since I have a family history of colon cancer. It was pretty easy. The worst was the preparation a day before…which, in fact, was my day in Norris clinic. When I can do it, you can.

Regular screening tests can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. We know that screening with colonoscopies can also find colorectal cancer early when treatment can cure the cancer.
Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on March 23rd, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | No Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer awareness, Preventing Colorectal Cancer, screening

What are Early Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer? Watch out for Small Changes

For the month of March, which is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, I want to review the early symptoms of colon cancer so we can prevent this disease more successfully. Colon cancer is one of the few cancer you can prevent by doing colonoscopies.

The general recommendation is to have a baseline colonoscopy at 50 years and then repeat it every 5 to 10 years, which reflects that polyps or colon cancer development takes a long time. This leaves a window of opportunity to do the screening, remove polyps, and prevent colon cancer. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on March 6th, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 4 Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer symptoms, Preventing Colorectal Cancer

Cancer-Fighting Fruits and Vegetables: Does Pizza Count?

We know that throughout history people have lived well when their diets were rich in fruit and vegetables. There is evidence that eating fruits and vegetables helps to reduce gastric and colon cancer. All fruits and vegetables contain fiber which is helpful in preventing colon cancer. Now science has proven without a doubt that there is a relationship between intake of fruits and vegetables and health. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on March 2nd, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 6 Comments »
Tags: diet, Preventing Colorectal Cancer

Diet, Exercise, and Obesity

Patients always ask what they can do. Well, there is a lot they can do to reduce the risk for tumor recurring after successful surgeries.

Recent studies have clearly shown that diet is directly associated with the risk of tumor recurrence. People who eat primarily a Western diet are significantly at higher risk than those patients whose diet has less red meat, processed sugar, desserts, and French fries. You can change your diet and reduce your risk of tumor recurrence. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on January 23rd, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 20 Comments »
Tags: diet, exercise, Preventing Colorectal Cancer, recurrence

Virtual Colonoscopy or Colonoscopy

One of the discussions at GI Symposium was whether virtual colonoscopy is ready for prime time. What is that? Well, it is a CT scan which evaluates the colon for polyps and other changes instead of using a scope to enter the colon and look directly.

It is often misunderstood that the preparation for these two procedures are different. They are not. You need a clean colon whether you get a CT colonoscopy or a real one. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on January 22nd, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 5 Comments »
Tags: colonoscopy, CT colonography, Preventing Colorectal Cancer