ARLINGTON, Texas - USMD Hospital at Arlington, located at Interstate 20 and Matlock Road, is hosting complimentary educational forums and screenings to inform the community about the symptoms, treatments and prevention of colon cancer. The event - "Don't Let Colon Cancer Catch Up To You" - will take place at the hospital on Saturday, March 25, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Colon cancer is one of the biggest cancer killers in the United States, second only to lung cancer. It is an indiscriminate cancer which strikes men and women equally. An estimated 150,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease in 2006, and 55,000 will not survive. What makes colon cancer unique is that it is almost always treatable in the early stages. Screening tests can detect polyps (growths in the lining of the colon or rectum) before they become cancerous. Removing the polyps can prevent the cancer from occurring. While colon cancer incidence rates have decreased over the past five years due to increased screening and early polyp removal, colorectal screening rates still remain far too low.
"The American Cancer Society has estimated that 9,510 people in the state of Texas will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006, and of that number 3,530 will die from it," said Steven R. Kamber, president of USMD Hospital at Arlington. "When caught in the early stages, colon cancer is one of the most curable cancers. In fact 90% of those diagnosed in the early stages survive, which is why regular screenings can mean the difference between life and death. We urge men and women in the community, particularly those over the age of 50, to take advantage of the screening tests that are available to them."
The Colon Cancer Awareness event will offer complimentary screenings for seminar attendees, including, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, BMI (Body Mass Index) and take-home fecal occult blood tests. Seminars about the detection, staging and treatment of colon cancer will take place throughout the morning. WBAP personalities Laura Houston and Monty Cook will be on site to meet and greet. A buffet brunch will be served throughout the morning.
The event is free to the public, although space is limited and will be filled on a first-come-first serve basis. To reserve a place, call 817-461-USMD or log onto usmdhospital and click on "event."
Colon Cancer Awareness Event Schedule for March 25
8:30 - 11 a.m
Health Screenings (Free for seminar attendees)
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Meet WBAP personalities Laura Houston and Monty Cook;
Win Dallas Stars hockey game tickets and other prizes
9 - 9:30 a.m.
Colon Cancer Screening Awareness
Presented by Dr. Ron S. Kline
10 - 10:30 a.m.
Management of Colon Cancer - Diagnosis and Treatment
Presented by Dr. Augustus E. Lyons
11 - 11:30a.m.
Staging and Treatment of Colon Cancer after Surgery
Presented by Dr. Sol Akbani
About USMD Hospital at Arlington
USMD Hospital at Arlington is one of the largest physician-owned hospitals in the United States. The hospital was purchased by a group of 60 physicians, Mat-Rx Development and Texas Health Resources in October 2003. The new physician owners have transformed the facility into a state-of-the-art hospital featuring the pinnacle of medical technology, equipment and expertise in a variety of practice areas including colon and rectal surgery, cosmetic surgery, general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, pain management and urology. For more information, visit usmdhospital.