ATHENS, Ohio -- The summer series of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine's Geriatric Education Brown Bag seminars concludes Monday, Aug. 19, with Ed Gotfried, D.O., presenting "Colorectal Cancer: Clinical Applications." The seminar will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, Room B-9.
Gotfried, OU-COM associate professor of surgery, will discuss what is new in colon and rectal cancer detection and treatment. Early stage detection of colon or rectal cancer is essential for increasing the odds of successful treatment. "The detection of (pre-cancerous) polyps through colonoscopy is extremely important. Having polyps removed reduces the risk of developing colon cancer by 75 percent. The ideal situation is to remove the polyp before it gets large. It is very important to get yourself checked regularly."
"After the onset of cancer, it is important to remove the cancer -- probably through surgery -- before it has a chance to spread beyond the colon." There is a 90 percent five-year survival rate if the cancer is removed before it spreads to other parts of the body.
"Prevention will also be a focus of the seminar," said Gotfried. He will discuss the role that diet plays in colorectal cancer. "Studies indicate," said Gotfried, "that reducing the fat and increasing the amount of fiber in your diet are key measures in preventing colorectal cancer."
"Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink. Exercise regularly." Simply put, eat more sensibly and exercise with the intention of reducing your risk of developing cancer, said Gotfried.
"I expect that my presentation will be very relevant to nurses and also accessible to the layman."
Health-care professionals are invited to attend the seminar. Brown bags are welcome. For more information, call the Geriatric Education Center at (740) 593-2258. Each lecture in this series of geriatric medicine/gerontology seminars is held from noon to 1 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at O'Bleness, Room B-9.
This is the final seminar in the summer series. Previously, "Osteoarthritis Update: Screening and Self-Management" was presented by Sarah McGrew, R.N., June 3; "Advanced Care Planning Process: Respecting Choices" by Cathy Ash, June 17; "Symptom Management in Palliative Care" by Tracy Marx, D.O., July 1; "Congestive Heart Failure" by Judson Millhon, M.D., July 15; and "Assessing Physical Activity Needs in the Elderly" by Stephen Trotta, Aug. 5.
"The seminars are designed for an interdisciplinary audience," said Ellen Peterson, R.N., OU-COM geriatric education coordinator. "Health professionals from the community regularly attend, in addition to interns, residents and medical students. The diversity of disciplines represented by the participants makes for an interesting exchange of ideas."
The sponsors of the seminars include the Department of Geriatric Medicine/Gerontology, the Western Reserve Geriatric Education Center and Area Health Education Center and OU-COM.
Peterson said the seminar series was started by a federal grant that established OU-COM as a contributing site to the Western Reserve Geriatric Education Center in September 1994 and has supported many continuing education programs. Provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, the grant supports educational programs in geriatrics and gerontology for physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors and health-care providers to 22 Southeastern Ohio counties.
