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They also offer screening and preven- tion of colorecta l a nd gastric ca ncer through a full complement of basic and advanced endoscopic procedures and patient education. "Ma ny of the hea lthca re issues we diagnose and treat are difficult for the patient to talk about, or something that has been troubling them for a long time and they have fina lly decided to seek help," says Dr. Park. "It's important for us to be empathetic to their condition, and work closely with the referring physician to fully understand the patient's history and what has led them to our care." Dr. Sievers agrees. "Our patients must feel comfortable with us for us to succeed. By listening carefully, being sensitive to their problems and working in concert with their primary care physician and other specia lists that could be part of the treatment protocol, we are able to help deliver the needed care in a manner that is always focused on the patient." Colorecta l cancer is the third most commonly diag nosed ca ncer in both men and women in the US, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). This yea r a lone, t he ACS estimates that 135,430 people in the US will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 50,260 people will die from the disease. One in 22 men and one in 24 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime. "As physicians, we must always advo- cate for life-saving screenings, and the colonoscopy is one of the most important, especially for those patients over the age of 50," says Dr. Park. In recent yea rs, questions rega rd- ing the effectiveness of colon ca ncer screening with colonoscopy have been laid to rest. A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that colo- noscopies cut the risk of colon cancer by 77 percent over 10 years. Even more impressive, researchers found that the risk of right-sided colon cancer (the most difficult to identify with a colonoscopy) was reduced by 56 percent as a result of screening and early diagnosis. Despite the lifesaving benefits, many patients over age 50 continue to avoid having a colonoscopy. W hy? A survey published in the American J o u r n a l o f P r e v e n t i v e M e d i c i n e answers that question. It lists the top three reasons expressed by patients for not obtaining screening for colorecta l cancer: 1.) the failure of a hea lthcare professiona l to suggest testing, 2.) a lack of awareness about whether they should be screened, and 3.) a belief that testing is too costly. " We have the opportunity as hea lth- c a re profe s sion a l s t o ch a n ge t h i s trend of avoidance," says Dr. Park. "By helping our patients understa nd the benef its of screenings — for colon and other life-threatening ca ncers — we can truly save lives." "Colonoscopy is a lso the best exam to diagnose colitis, diverticulitis and d iver t icu losi s; ident i f y poly ps a n d b l e e d i n g l e s i on s ; a n d h e lp d i a g n o s e t h e c a u s e o f a b d o m i n a l p a i n , " D r. Siever s poi nt s out . "Symptoms like anemia, weight loss, abdomina l pain or cramping could a r i s e f r o m m a n y d i f f e r e n t c a u s e s . A colonoscopy ca n deter m i ne whet her t h e s y m p t o m s a patient is experienc- ing are related to colon disease or something more benign." D r. J o h n P a r k a n d D r . C o r e y S i e v e r s s e e p a t i e n t s a t t h r e e offices: 3033 State Road , S u it e 2 0 3 , i n C u y a h o g a Falls; 4016 Massillon Road, Suite C, in Uniontown; and 3780 Medina Road, Suite 110, in Medina. For more informa- tion or to refer a patient, call Weste r n Rese r ve Hos p ita l Physicians Gastroenterology at 330-926-3313. n Corey J. Sievers, MD 1 3 M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C L E V E L A N D /A K R O N / C A N T O N ■ M A R C H /A P R I L 2 017