BCHS surgeon to speak on colorectal cancer

About the Presenter: Mahesh Karamchandani, MD is a board certified colorectal surgeon affiliated with the Colon and Rectal Surgery Center. He completed medical school at the University of Baroda; residency in general surgery at Lankenau Hospital, Philadelphia, PA; and fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA. He is a member of the Battle Creek Health System medical staff and is a Medical Executive Committee member as vice chief of staff, and chairs the Calhoun County Cancer Care Coalition.

Cancer of the colon or rectum is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women combined. The disease surpasses breast and prostate cancer in mortality, and second only to lung cancer in numbers of cancer deaths. Colon cancer is a malignant tumor in the lining of the large intestine. It starts with a single cell that mutates and grows into a visible polyp, which then may develop into cancer.

Dr. Mahesh Karamchandani, colorectal surgeon at Battle Creek Health System will speak on 'Keeping Your Colon Healthy - Preventing & Treating Colorectal Cancer' at Burnham Brook Center on Thursday, March 12. This educational program is part of the National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month activities with the goal of increasing awareness that colorectal cancer is largely preventable, treatable, and beatable. The program, which is free to the public, is sponsored through Senior Health Partners in coordination with Battle Creek Health System.

A lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by Dr. Karamchandani's presentation at noon. Seating is limited. Reservations can be made by calling the class/seminar registration line at (877) GO2-BCHS (877-462-2247).

"Despite the fact that it is highly preventable, it is estimated that nearly 150,000 cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in 2008 and over 50,000 people were projected to die of the illness," says Dr. Karamchandani. "It is also one of the most easily prevented cancers because it can develop from polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous. Because many people are embarrassed to talk about this disease, there are many myths about colorectal cancer that need to be refuted. An almost equal number of men and women are diagnosed each year."

Physicians agree that if a polyp is allowed to remain in the colon it can grow into a cancerous tumor that can invade other organs. Since polyps take about three to seven years to become cancerous, prevention means stopping this process by removing them before they become cancerous. Found in the early stage of becoming cancerous, surgery, sometimes in conjunction with radiation and chemotherapy, can address the cancer before it can spread.

Research shows that early detection is the real key to preventing and eliminating colorectal cancer. Regular screenings, a more healthy diet, and regular exercise can go a long way toward lowering your risk of colorectal cancer.

Senior Health Partners, a community partnership of Battle Creek Health System, CentraCare, Region 3B Area Agency on Aging, and Summit Pointe, works to expand wellness and educational offerings to senior citizens in Calhoun and surrounding counties.

Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission. Battle Creek Health System is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.