Peer support grows in young cancer survivors

Teens and young adults who are cancer survivors appear to have more social networks and support than those who have not had cancer, according to a study in the journal Cancer. Overall, the cancer survivors were found to have more emotional and other types of support and to get more advice on health topics such

TV watching increases risk of colorectal cancer

A recent study showed that men who watched more than four hours of TV daily had a 35% higher risk of colorectal cancer, compared with those who watched for no more than one hour per day. The study did not find a similar association among women but noted that men with higher levels of physical activity had

A study in the journal Gut found taking daily calcium supplements may increase the risk of serrated colon polyps, a precursor lesion to colon cancer. People who took calcium or calcium plus vitamin D were more likely to develop polyps from six to 10 years after the study began, but calcium from dietary sources was

Early colonoscopy changes outcome – a case example

Shawn Ryan’s colorectal cancer was discovered during a routine colonoscopy at a stage where an advanced laparoscopic procedure could be used to remove it, sparing the New Jersey man from needing a colostomy.  I find that people’s biggest fear about the G.I. tract in general is the need for a colostomy. It is important to

Nitrates may increase colon cancer risk

A recent study suggests nitrates in drinking water were associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer. Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark reported in the International Journal of Cancer wrote that exposure to the highest nitrate levels raised the risk of colorectal cancer by 15%, compared with exposure to the lowest concentrations. These findings

Bariatric surgery reduces risk for certain cancers

Bariatric surgery appears to reduce the risk for colon, breast, endometrial, pancreatic and other cancers, according to a review of medical data from 22,198 bariatric surgery patients. Overall, bariatric surgery was associated with a 40% risk reduction for 13 obesity-related cancers and a 23% reduction in risk for other cancers. See the article on Healio

Fatty liver may predict polyp risk

A fatty liver index of 30 or greater was tied to a greater risk of colorectal adenoma, and high-index patients had more adenomas and more advanced adenomas than those with a low-index, according to a study in the Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. “The high fatty liver index may be a useful predictor of

Hi-Def Colonoscopy for IBD

A recent study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found high-definition colonoscopy was as effective as dye spraying chromoendoscopy and virtual chromoendoscopy in the detection of neoplastic lesions in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We use high-definition endoscopy at The Endoscopy Center of the North Shore, as well as Evanston and Glenbrook Hospitals. Read the

Colonoscopies at Hospitals Cost Medicare 164% More Than Offices

Colonoscopies cost Medicare 164% more when they’re performed in a hospital outpatient department rather than independent physician offices, according to a recent report by Physicians Advocacy Institute and Avalere. The study showed the stark disparity in payment between settings based on ownership. “Hospital consolidation pushes healthcare costs upward,” said Robert Seligson, president of Physicians Advocacy

Artificial Intelligence Improves Colonoscopy

The use of artificial intelligence can increase the accuracy and sensitivity of adenoma detection during colonoscopy, even for small lesions, a new study shows. The results were discussed by Dr. William Karnes of the University of California at Irvine at the World Congress of Gastroenterology at ACG 2017. Dr. Yuichi Mori of Showa University in