Better Screening		Medical Genetics
Questions & Answers		Research Update

Research Update:
Colorectal Screening Saves Lives
Since 1991, the registries have been involved in a free public screening program for colorectal cancer. The aim of the program is four-fold: 1) to alert the public to the risk associated with a family history of colorectal cancer, 2) to assess the risk of individual callers 3) to recommend testing that can be done for each individual’s level of risk, 4) to offer free sigmoidoscopy to people at intermediate risk. We recently completed our fourth program. In total we have received 4,000 calls, performed 850 sigmoidoscopies, found 6 cancers and discovered polyps on 212 patients. We also have discovered several families whose strong family history suggests HNPCC or FCC.

Patient Perspective
Mr. Bill Bodnar may have saved his own life, just by thinking ahead. He took advantage of our screening program last October, after seeing our TV commercial. With a phone call to our program, he found out that he was at increased risk. “It made me think,” says Mr. Bodnar, a photographer from Sheffield Village, Ohio. “I had some (bowel) irregularity in the past, but like most people I didn’t think it could be anything serious. I’m just so thankful for the screening and that they found and removed the polyps early enough,” he says. Mr. Bodnar’s exam revealed the presence of at least two polyps, that if not removed would have eventually advanced to cancer.

Although he didn’t realize it before his screening, Mr. Bodnar’s family history put him at increased risk for colorectal cancer by having an uncle who had the disease, and survived it, 30 years ago. “This experience was a very positive one for me. Who knows how many lives are saved through the (colorectal cancer) screening program at the Clinic.”