• Pathways
11
WHEN I WAS 7 YEARS OLD,
my grandfather, a World War II veteran, whom
I remember as a robust and healthy man, lost his battle with colon cancer. He said that there
had been blood in his stool for some time, but he didn’t want to worry his family.
After all, in Eastern Europe in the early 1980s, there was no way to detect the disease until
it was too late. It was just one of those things, he said—one of those “cards dealt by life.”
A new player
Today things are different: We can use the screening colonoscopy to help prevent
colon cancer. Gastroenterologists are trained in this procedure, and with it, we can detect
precancerous growths, called polyps, and remove them before they become dangerous.
The procedure is done under sedation and should be painless. Most colonoscopies are
outpatient procedures, taking only about 40 minutes. Patients need minimal recovery time
and are able to return to their normal activities the very next day.
Change your luck
Your chance of getting colon cancer increases with age. In fact, after 50, on average 1 in
4 people has precancerous polyps. Family or personal history of polyps, colon cancer or
inflammatory bowel disease increase your odds of getting cancer.
We recommend that you have a screening colonoscopy at age 50 and every 10 years
thereafter, sooner or more often if you’re at higher risk.
I encourage you to talk to your primary care physician, who can discuss his or her
qualifications and experience with you and answer any questions you may have about the
procedure.
Unlike some cancers, in which you can feel a lump or notice a skin discoloration,
colon cancer is often silent in its early stages. But
the good news is that we have a powerful tool for
detection and prevention that stacks the deck in
your favor. Nobody has to wait to be dealt a bad
hand.
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
visit
To
schedule an appointment with Dr. Gagovic
in Antigo, call
800-847-4707
.
Looking for a new
career?
Langlade Hospital
offers a competitive wage
and benefit package that
includes health, dental and
vision insurance; flexible
benefit plan; life insurance;
pension; tax-sheltered
annuity; child care center;
wellness program; PTO;
extended leave; etc.
Enthusiastic, patient-focused
candidates can apply online at
An Equal Opportunity Employer
We’re
Hiring!
Colonoscopy
A powerful tool for colon cancer prevention
By Veronika Gagovic, MD, Gastroenterologist
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and select one of several
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The cards will be printed and
hand-delivered to our patients
within 24 hours if possible.
