Lisa Adams was 39 when a colonoscopy performed by Dr. Akerman discovered she had colon cancer. Now, 17 years later, Lisa shares her story with others hoping others, particularly African Americans, will learn from her experience.
Channel 12 caught up with her this weekend after she spoke to members of her church about why it's so important to know your family history and to get screened.
Here's more about Lisa's story:
When it comes to colon cancer, UGI urges African Americans to know their family history
Members of the Black community are 20% more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from the disease than members of any other race or ethnicity.
University Gastroenterology urges African Americans to get screened for colon cancer starting at 45, or younger if they have any risk factors - such as family history.
UGI launches PSA calling attention to changes in screening guidelines
The American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology now both recommend adults at normal risk of colon cancer get screened at 45, lowering the age from 50. Those with risks, including a family history of colon cancer or polyps, may need to get screened even earlier than that.
UGI put together a PSA to call attention to these changes.
University Gastroenterology's Dr. Elizabeth Decker was a recent guest on the podcast Cumulus Community with Tyler Salk. She discussed Colon Cancer Awareness Month and why it's so important to get screened. If you missed it take a listen:
Colorectal cancer and death rates are higher among African-American men and women.
Those cancer rates are also rising for people younger than 50.
"I was having stomach pains with, like stabbing stomach pains, I thought it was food poisoning," said 56-year-old Lisa Adams, who at 39 was diagnosed with something much worse.
She said she's thankful she went to her doctor who referred her to Dr. Paul Akerman, of University Gastroenterology.
Both Lisa and Dr. Akerman, as well as NAACP President Jim Vincent, spoke with NBC 10's Barbara Morse about why it's so important for African Americans to know their family history and to get screened,
One of the top cancer doctors in the country recently wrote an editorial for the publication Science in which he expressed concerns about a dramatic increase in deaths from breast and colorectal cancers in the next 10 years. The issue was not an increase in cases, but rather late diagnosis due to delayed screening.
"They're predicting about a one percent increased risk in just breast cancer and colon cancer alone over the next ten years which amounts to about 10,000 excess deaths,” Dr. Angela Fishman, a GI doctor at University Gastroenterology, told Channel 10's Barbara Morse.
During this pandemic, researchers report a major dip in screenings at a time when numbers had been trending in a positive direction.
"And likely what has happened is because these people have decreased their screening, it's unlikely they're going to get in in the next two months, they'll delay it for another year,” said Fishman.
University Gastroenterology's Dr. Kevin Palumbo recently sat down with WJAR Health Check Reporter Barbara Morse Silva to discuss the dangers of the Tide Pod Challenge. You can view the entire segment below:
UGI patient raising awareness about colon cancer
Lisa Adams was 39 when a colonoscopy performed by Dr. Akerman discovered she had colon cancer. Now, 17 years later, Lisa shares her story with others hoping others, particularly African Americans, will learn from her experience.
Channel 12 caught up with her this weekend after she spoke to members of her church about why it's so important to know your family history and to get screened.
Here's more about Lisa's story:
When it comes to colon cancer, UGI urges African Americans to know their family history
Members of the Black community are 20% more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from the disease than members of any other race or ethnicity.
University Gastroenterology urges African Americans to get screened for colon cancer starting at 45, or younger if they have any risk factors - such as family history.
UGI launches PSA calling attention to changes in screening guidelines
The American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology now both recommend adults at normal risk of colon cancer get screened at 45, lowering the age from 50. Those with risks, including a family history of colon cancer or polyps, may need to get screened even earlier than that.
UGI put together a PSA to call attention to these changes.
Dr. Decker discusses the importance of screening for colorectal cancer
University Gastroenterology's Dr. Elizabeth Decker was a recent guest on the podcast Cumulus Community with Tyler Salk. She discussed Colon Cancer Awareness Month and why it's so important to get screened. If you missed it take a listen:
Colorectal cancer and death rates higher among African American men and women
Colorectal cancer and death rates are higher among African-American men and women.
Those cancer rates are also rising for people younger than 50.
"I was having stomach pains with, like stabbing stomach pains, I thought it was food poisoning," said 56-year-old Lisa Adams, who at 39 was diagnosed with something much worse.
She said she's thankful she went to her doctor who referred her to Dr. Paul Akerman, of University Gastroenterology.
Both Lisa and Dr. Akerman, as well as NAACP President Jim Vincent, spoke with NBC 10's Barbara Morse about why it's so important for African Americans to know their family history and to get screened,
WATCH FULL STORY »
Know Your Risk: Colon Cancer & The Black Community »
Informational Flyer »
COVID-19 could lead to increase in colon cancer deaths
One of the top cancer doctors in the country recently wrote an editorial for the publication Science in which he expressed concerns about a dramatic increase in deaths from breast and colorectal cancers in the next 10 years. The issue was not an increase in cases, but rather late diagnosis due to delayed screening.
"They're predicting about a one percent increased risk in just breast cancer and colon cancer alone over the next ten years which amounts to about 10,000 excess deaths,” Dr. Angela Fishman, a GI doctor at University Gastroenterology, told Channel 10's Barbara Morse.
During this pandemic, researchers report a major dip in screenings at a time when numbers had been trending in a positive direction.
"And likely what has happened is because these people have decreased their screening, it's unlikely they're going to get in in the next two months, they'll delay it for another year,” said Fishman.
WATCH THE FULL STORY »
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The liver center at University Gastroenterology was recently on WLNE/ ABC6 featured for its work with treating Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
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PROVIDENCE FRIARS, UNIVERSITY GASTROENTEROLOGY UNVEIL PARTNERSHIP FOR COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Dr. Eric Newton and Nurse Practitioner Bridget Fitzgibbon of University Gastroenterology join The Rhode Show on WPRI/CBS Providence to discuss the importance of getting screened and their March Madness Campaign with Providence College Head Basketball Coach Ed Cooley.
University Gastroenterology's Dr. Kevin Palumbo recently sat down
with WJAR Health Check Reporter Barbara Morse Silva to discuss
the dangers of the Tide Pod Challenge. You can view the entire segment below:
Read Here:
Dr. Sheldon Lidofsky's recent interview by
Providence Business News about the advancements
in the treatment of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.