CentraState - Healthy Directions

Bhavesh Balar, MD, board-certified hematologist/oncologist Thomas Kayal, MD, board-certified colorectal surgeon Dr. Portadin says that over the years he has had perhaps a half dozen patients who have been diagnosed with cancer following an abnormal rectal exam. He immediately referred Debbie to Thomas Kayal, MD, a board-certified colorectal surgeon on staff at CentraState. 'NOT GOING TO LET IT BEAT ME' Dr. Kayal performed a biopsy that confirmed Dr. Portadin's suspicions— Debbie had anal cancer. "She was not very symptomatic," Dr. Kayal says. "Luckily, Dr. Portadin had picked up a mass during his exam that we were able to biopsy and make the diagnosis." Anal cancer is fairly rare, accounting for less than two percent of all cancers affecting the intestinal tract. About 6,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, according to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Awareness of anal cancer rose in 2009 when it claimed the life of actress Farrah Fawcett, who had an aggressive form of the disease. "When Dr. Kayal told me it was cancer, all I could do was cry," says Debbie, whose uncle and father both died of pancreatic cancer. "But I decided right then that I'm not going to let it beat me." Debbie decided to pursue cancer treatment locally with Bhavesh Balar, MD, a board-certified hematologist/ oncologist on staff at CentraState. She received her first good news— diagnostic imaging exams showed that the cancer had likely not spread beyond her anus. It was considered Stage 1. "Her type of cancer is highly treatable," Dr. Balar says. "Usually it presents localized to the anus, and treatment involves chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which leads to a cure in most patients." COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CARE For one week in June and one week in July, Debbie was treated with round-the-clock chemotherapy. She continued her normal activities while bringing along a battery operated pump that administered the chemotherapy medication. At the same time, she underwent radiation therapy treatments at The Karen Olbis Radiation Oncology Center at CentraState with Neesha Rodrigues, MD, a board-certified radiation oncologist. The treatments involved a sophisticated technology called intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which delivers precise beams of radiation to target a tumor while sparing nearby, healthy tissue. "By precisely targeting a tumor, we're able to minimize side effects—both short term and long term," Dr. Rodrigues says. "Technologies like IMRT are offering patients more options to aggressively treat many types of cancer while preserving normal organ function." Debbie says that by the end of her treatments in early July, she felt physically worn down but was extremely pleased with the care she received throughout her treatment. On Sept. 23, less than nine weeks after the end of her treatment, she went back to see Dr. Kayal for a sigmoidoscopy—a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum and take a tissue sample for biopsy. "She's cancer-free at this point," Dr. Kayal says. "She should do well. The important thing is close follow-up. I'll see her every three months for the first year to make sure her cancer doesn't come back." After the rigors of cancer treatment, Debbie still finds herself feeling better and stronger every day. She's enjoying time with her husband, Bob, and their teacup Yorkie, Suki. Meanwhile, she doesn't plan on giving up her role as a social media advocate for women's health. "I know that a lot of people don't like going to the doctor," she says. "But just go." For more information about CentraState's cancer services, visit www.centrastatecancercenter.com or call 855-411-CANCER (855-411-2262). For a list of upcoming cancer screenings, visit www.centrastate.com/events. HD "I know a lot of people don't like going to the doctor. But just go." —Debbie O'Melia Neesha Rodrigues, MD, board-certified radiation oncologist www.centrastate.com Winter 2016 11

• Cover