CHI Franciscan - Highline

A LOCAL SELF-EMPLOYED interior designer who often works with her husband's construction company, Melissa was in good health when her insurance company informed her she was past due for her colonoscopy. "I was 53 and had never gone in for a colonoscopy," Melissa said. "I have been in remission from brain cancer for 15 years, so I was especially careful about my health and paid attention to any little thing that could be wrong. I thought I was completely healthy." At her colonoscopy screening, Melissa found out she had polyps, or potentially cancerous masses, in her colon. They were removed and sent off for biopsy. "We got the call on Christmas Eve 2014 that it was cancer," Melissa said. CARE THAT MATTERS Melissa was referred to Shalini Kanneganti, MD, FACS, board-certifi ed, fellowship- trained colon and rectal cancer surgeon with CHI Franciscan Health, to fi nd out her next steps for care. "If there was a picture in the dictionary that went along with the defi nition of compassion, it would be Dr. Kanneganti," Melissa said. "The fi rst appointment, I was a weepy mess—I told her my daughter Mackenzie was graduating from college in the spring, and my older daughter Samantha had just gotten engaged. She held my hand and told me, 'We'll get through this.'" Surgery was the best option for removing all of her cancer. "Melissa needed the right side of her colon removed, a procedure called a hemicolectomy," Dr. Kanneganti said. "She had laparoscopic surgery that required smaller incisions, rather than one large incision. This meant Melissa had reduced pain, needed less medication and was able to return to normal life quickly. We were pleased to offer her this option while she was dealing with the emotional journey of cancer." Melissa had her procedure in January. RETURN TO RECOVERY "Dr. Kanneganti was right—we did get through it," Melissa said. "I followed all my instructions throughout my surgical recovery, and I made some lifestyle changes afterward. I don't eat meat anymore, and I walk and work out more often. We're busy planning Samantha's wedding, and we had a great time celebrating Mackenzie's graduation in the spring." Melissa credits her screening colonoscopy for allowing her to continue her life without dealing with late-stage colon cancer. "If you're age 50, get a colonoscopy," Melissa said. "Don't wait until you have symptoms." SHALINI KANNEGANTI, MD, FACS Lives Lives chifranciscan.org /// HIGHLINE MEDICAL CENTER 7 WHO NEEDS A COLONOSCOPY? COLONOSCOPY: MYTH VS. FACT Colon cancer often has no symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Colonoscopies are the gold standard for preventing and identifying colon cancer, which is why this screening is so important. "If you have an average level of risk, you should have your first colonoscopy at age 50," said Ani Fleisig, MD, FACS, surgical oncologist with Franciscan Surgical Associates, Burien. "A family history of colon cancer or personal history of polyps may mean you need to start having colonoscopies sooner." Your physician is looking for polyps, or precancerous masses in the colon and rectum. If a polyp is found, it can be removed during the colonoscopy—before it becomes cancerous. "If cancer is found, we are part of a health system with a comprehensive care program," Dr. Fleisig said. "Patients can be referred quickly to the appropriate physician, whether it's a surgeon or a medical oncologist." To learn more about the physicians with Franciscan Surgical Associates, Burien, practicing at Highline Cancer Center, call (206) 244-1680. MY TH: I don't need a colonoscopy if there's no history of colorectal cancer in my family. FACT: About 75 percent of patients who have colorectal cancer have no family history. Age is the primary risk factor for developing colon polyps that can then turn into cancer—which is why routine screenings starting at age 50 are so important. Another risk factor is ethnicity; African-Americans are at higher risk of colon cancer and should begin routine screening at age 45. MY TH: Colon cancer is always deadly. FACT: The earliest stages of colon cancer are the most treatable. The five-year survival rate for stage I colon cancer is 92 percent. It's a curable cancer when diagnosed early enough. MY TH: People usually notice symptoms before a colon cancer diagnosis. FACT: Colorectal cancer often has no symptoms until the latest stages of the disease, when it's the hardest to treat and more difficult to survive. Colonoscopies are the best way for detecting colorectal cancers before they have symptoms and before they become deadly. MY TH: There's nothing you can do to reduce your risk of getting colon cancer. FACT: Lifestyle changes can affect your risk of colon cancer. Eating the recommended number of fruits and vegetables every day and exercising regularly can reduce your risk. Quitting smoking also lessens your risk. To schedule a colonoscopy at a Franciscan Digestive Care Associates clinic near you, call 1-888-825-3227. ANI FLEISIG, MD, FACS Your primary care provider can refer you for a colonoscopy. To nd a primary care physician, visit FranciscanDoctors.org.

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