Experts from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Available for Comment on the Prevention, Treatment and Detection of Third Leading Cause of Cancer Death in the United States
Newswise — New Brunswick, N.J., February 26, 2013 – The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss risk factors, treatment and prevention options surrounding colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 143,000 new cases of the disease are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year with about 4,600 new cases in New Jersey. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the United States. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is a Center of Excellence of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
While the exact cause of most colorectal cancers is not known, risk factors include poor diet, lack of exercise, and having polyps in the colon or rectum areas. Those over age 50 also are at increased risk. Beginning at age 50, it is recommended that both men and women undergo periodic colonoscopies, fecal occult blood tests and/or other screenings that can detect colorectal cancer. Earlier testing is recommended for people with increased risk, such as those with a family history of the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if everyone aged 50 or older were screened regularly, at least 60 percent of deaths from this cancer could be avoided.
Some signs of possible colorectal cancer include:• Bleeding from your rectum.• Dark stools or blood in the stool or toilet after you have a bowel movement.• A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days.• Cramping pain in your lower stomach.• Weakness, fatigue, unintended weight loss.
Studies show that colorectal cancer may be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, keeping physically active and limiting the use of alcoholic beverages.
Experts from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey available for comment include:David A. August, MD, is the chief of surgical oncology at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and a professor of surgery at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. August is also the director of the Gastrointestinal/Hepatobiliary Oncology Program at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, which is a multidisciplinary clinical and scientific program that provides comprehensive services to patients with pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions involving gastrointestinal organs, including the colon and rectum. He can discuss the importance of patients having a comprehensive evaluation under one roof with a close collaboration of multiple specialists including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, social workers and other experts.
Laleh Melstrom, MD, is a surgical oncologist at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and an assistant professor of surgery at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Melstrom focuses on colorectal cancer that has metastasized to the liver. Her experience and training offer a unique perspective that offers liver directed therapy to patients with this disease. Dr. Melstrom can share her perspective in treating patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in the liver in a multidisciplinary fashion for optimal outcomes and quality of life.
Rebecca Moss, MD, is a medical oncologist at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and an assistant professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, who has an interest in gastrointestinal malignancies. Dr. Moss has engaged in research involving chemotherapy and other treatment regimens involving various tumor sites in the gastrointestinal tract including novel therapeutics for colorectal cancer.
Elizabeth Poplin, MD, is a medical oncologist at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and a professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Poplin has expertise in the management of gastrointestinal malignancies including standard and novel treatment options for cancers of the colon and rectum. She can discuss the latest in cancer research studies involving these tumor sites. Poplin is also board-certified in palliative care and has an interest in supportive care issues for patients with colorectal and other cancers.
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