Page 17 - MethodistHealthSystem

◂ CANCER

“Fear of having a colostomy bag should not keep anybody away from seeking treatment for colorectal cancer,” he says. “Many of these cancers can be removed with new sphincter-saving procedures, without the need for a permanent colostomy. Te most important thing is to fnd these tumors early with screening so that early curative surgery can be undertaken with an excellent long-term outcome.” Tanks to successful treatment, Collins is reaping the benefts of a cancer-free life. At the time of her Shine interview, she was preparing for an Alaskan cruise.

“I can’t stop living,” she says. “I have too much lef to do.”

Is it time to schedule your colonoscopy? Talk to your doctor about a referral, or to fnd a physician, go to www.MethodistHealth System.org/FindAPhysician.

Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staf are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System.

Methodist Health System • ❁ Fall 2011 17

‘Cancer doesn’t ha

How Methodist Dallas helped

one woman survive colorectal cancer

“The

most amazing thing to me is that when Dr. Narinder Monga told me I had cancer, my response was, ‘Okay, what do we do next?’” says colorectal cancer survivor Maxine Collins. “I didn’t have heart palpitations, fall out, or cry. My attitude was ‘I have cancer. Cancer doesn’t have me’.”

Collins says her optimism and strong spirit are part of her personality but are also based on her faith. “I know God gives the doctors wisdom and knowledge to do what they do,” she says. “I trust Him, and I trust Dr. Monga.”

Collins says she was able to keep working throughout her chemotherapy and cancer surgery in 2009. And there’s evidence of how her persistence paid of: “My annual colonoscopy this past April was clear,” Collins says.

She adds that when you’re battling cancer, you really need a good support system — something she had through her family, friends, Dr. Monga, and his staf.

“Dr. Monga is very hands-on, and his staf is wonderful,” she says. “Tey were supportive of me and my family as well.”

Stop cancer before it starts

Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum.

“Controlling and curing colon cancer depends on prevention and early detection,” says Dr. Monga, chief of colorectal surgery and an independently practicing surgeon on the medical staf at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. “In fact, colorectal cancer is the second-most preventable cancer, afer lung cancer.” Before cancer develops, there are ofen earlier changes in the lining of the colon or rectum. One type of change is a growth of tissue called a polyp. Most colorectal cancers start with these polyps, and removing them early may prevent them from becoming cancer.

“Colon cancer screening, or a colonoscopy, can help fnd these precancerous polyps,” Dr. Monga says. “You should have a colonoscopy if you are over the age of 50 and have never had one; have a family or personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps; or have unexplained bleeding.”

If you experience symptoms like a change in bowel habits, stomach pain, weakness, or fatigue, it does not mean you have cancer, but you do need to talk to your doctor and get screened if recommended.

Choose hope, not fear

Treatment outcomes for colorectal cancer are hopeful. In fact, Dr. Monga says most colorectal cancer can now be removed with minimally invasive techniques or laparoscopic surgery.