Surviving Colon Cancer
1 in 3 Quad Citians risks developing colon cancer...but early detection can result in a 90% survival rate.
It’s a busy life for 71-year old Rosane D. Turner, a Davenport grandmother who also enjoys running a woodworking business with her husband, Elba of 55 years. “I had always put off a colonoscopy because I was so busy” she recalls. Her husband has had two colonoscopies and polyps removed both times, but she never found the time to get one scheduled. “I was 71 when I had my first screening. Looking back, I did have symptoms. I did notice I was more constipated, and I had blood in the stools.” Her family doctor, Dr. Daniel Arnold, referred her to a gastroenterologist.
Lauri Harsh, D.O., Eastern Iowa Gastroenterology, found a cancerous tumor. “Dr. Harsh came in after the test and didn’t sugar coat the news. She suggested that day I see Dr. Douglas Khoury, a Davenport surgeon who could remove the tumor.” Since Rosane’s surgery in December, she has routine tests every four months and is scheduled for annual colonoscopies – but she’s cancer free for now. “My husband and I are enjoying life every day and are grateful for our health.”
Stories like Rosane Turner’s are common and reveal both the prevalence of colon cancer and the hope early detection can bring. Since one in three Quad Citians is over the age of 50, many in our community are already at risk for colon cancer. Now, anyone can log on to becoloncancerfree.com and take a 2-minute risk assessment to determine whether one exhibits enough risk factors to warrant a colonoscopy. While those over 50 are at-risk, adult children and siblings of colon cancer patients need to be screened at younger ages. Web visitors can also email friends and family to remind them of their potential family risks, learn more about the disease or where they can schedule the procedure.
Take a Free Colon Cancer Risk Assessment Test at becoloncancerfree.com
“When we looked at the best way to communicate the urgency to Quad Citians and surrounding communities the need to schedule a colonoscopy, we discovered there were few opportunities for people to assess their risk privately,” says John Dooley, M.D., Administrator of the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center, Davenport. “We are proud to launch this new Web site and risk assessment test. Our Mississippi Valley Health Network gastroenterology practices are two of the very few in the nation that have invested in online risk assessment tools to educate patients about this preventable disease.” “Of those at risk in our community, we often find precancerous polyps in about one third of the patients we see right here in the Quad Cities,” adds Dr. Bavikatte Shivakumar, Gastrointestinal Clinic of the Quad Cities. “Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screenings can find those polyps – abnormal growths in the colon or rectum – so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure,” he explains.
A patient of Dr. Shivakumar and colon cancer survivor, Rock Islander Clyde Eversole, credits early detection with saving his life. The self-employed floor coverer waited a decade between colonoscopies. Eversole did not go for the second test until he had symptoms at age 52. “I had some symptoms for a long time. Now and then I would see blood, so I decided to have it checked out. It was good thing because it would’ve been too late. I was playing with fire. I have eight brothers and sisters, and I called every one of them.”
Dr. Shivakumar found the tumor – it was only the thickness of a piece of paper from going through the colon’s lining, but it was still contained. The doctor recommended a radical surgery, leaving Eversole with an ostomy bag for the rest of his life. “I said ‘No,’” recalls Eversole. “Dr. Shiv worked with me and understood that I wanted to lead a normal life, especially because I am so active in my business. They removed the polyp, and he rechecks me every six months.” That was in 2006. So far, there have been no recurrences. Still, Eversole says, “You have to get past the mental block and take the test. Everyone I run into, especially guys, I tell them to get it done. I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I’m still healthy and work like a horse every day.”
Turner credits her Gastroenterologist Dr. Harsh with saving her life and for being honest and up front about what she could do to battle the disease. Today, Turner is an advocate for early detection for her friends and family. “My daughter and husband were a great source of strength, and my faith in God gave me peace about the diagnosis. I tell everyone, ‘Go get that colonoscopy!’ I feel very blessed. My daughter just turned 50. She has already had one. My son is 54 and needs to have one, too. He keeps putting it off, but he says he’s going to have it done.”
