MDNews - Long Island

COVER FEATURE The dedicated colorectal surgery staff at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center and St. Charles Hospital are able to take care of complex problems through minimally invasive approaches with excellent outcomes." Beyond the recovery benefits, the Colon and Rectal Program can offer patients strikingly improved quality of life results without jeopardizing the efficacy of the treatment. For patients with inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis — and, in some cases, cancer — the recommended surgery can be a total proctocolectomy with an ileal- anal J-pouch procedure. This procedure involves removing the entire colon and rectum and reconstructing a new rectum from the small intestine. In many situations, this kind of treatment would render the patient dependent on an ostomy bag for the rest of his or her life; however, through the advanced training and expertise of Drs. Rivadeneira and Genua, this is less likely to occur at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center and St. Charles Hospital. 10 | Long Island MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM "We pride ourselves on performing anal sphincter salvage procedures for both rectal cancer patients and those with inflammatory bowel diseases," Dr. Rivadeneira says. "With our training and experience, we are able to salvage the sphincter muscles for the vast majority of patients, and this certainly increases their quality of life." The Feminine Advantage There has long been a theory in colorec- tal care that women are less likely to speak with a male physician regarding issues such as prolapse and fecal incontinence due to social embarrassment. According to Dr. Genua, this may not be the sole reason. She explains that there are numerous other barriers to care for women, including the ever-present primary caregiver responsi- bilities that women often find minimize the time they spend addressing their own health screenings. Whatever the reason women forgo seeking treatment for colorectal concerns, Dr. Genua's presence in the program adds a much-needed element to patient resources. She personalizes her care to the busy lives of the women she sees, and for those who are more hesitant to discuss delicate medical issues, she provides a comforting presence. "In some cases, I have been able to reas- sure a woman that a complaint that seemed mysterious and embarrassing was nothing to be worried about. She would have car- ried the burden of a worry whereas I am able to put her mind at ease," Dr. Genua says. "In other cases, women have come to me much earlier with a problem, reassured by the fact that I am a female and I am able to detect a serious problem at a curable stage. It is in those instances that I am most proud I am available to women." For more information regarding the Colon and Rectal Program at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center, visit www.stcatherinemedi- calcenter.org, and for St. Charles Hospital, visit www.stcharles.org. ■

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