Chico surgeons see rise in advanced cancer cases

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Dr. Doug Matthews talks about new techniques for colon cancer surgeries during an interview at his office in Chico on March 13. (Bill Husa/Staff Photo)<p class='dotPhoto'>All Chico E-R photos are available <a href='http://chicoer.mycapture.com/'>here</a>.</p>

CHICO ? Over the last three months, Chico surgeon Dr. Doug Matthews said his office has seen a significant increase in advanced cases of colon and rectal cancer.

Matthews works with two other colorectal surgeons in Chico: his father, Dr. Joseph Matthews, and Dr. Kevin Dorsey-Tyler.

Lately, more people have come into the office with serious symptoms, such as severe bleeding, he said. In some cases, their cancer has spread to the liver, lungs or other organs.

It's distressing because of the difficulty of stopping the disease in its late stages and also because if these patients had timely screenings for colon and rectal cancer, they likely would not have gotten into this condition, he said.

Some of the patients say they've had symptoms for a year or two, he said. "They'll say now I'm losing weight. I'm really sick."

"In the earliest stages of colon cancer, 97 percent of patients will survive at least five years," he said. "As surgeons and health advocates, we want to see more people in this category."

Matthews said he can't explain the local rise in advanced cases of the disease. It may be just a coincidence, or it could be that a lack of insurance or lack of money are causing people to put off being screened for colon cancer.

Another factor may be that many people are reluctant to be screened because colonoscopy and other procedures are unpleasant, and some people are squeamish about even discussing their intestinal tracts, he said.

Matthews noted

a recent study for the first time proved colonoscopy saves lives.

A New York Times story reported the 20-year study showed the death rate from colorectal cancer was cut by 53 percent in those who had colonoscopies and whose doctors removed polyps that could have turned into cancer.

According to federal health experts, The Times reported, only six in 10 adults are up to date on getting screened for colorectal cancer.

Generally, it's recommended that people over 50 be screened for colorectal cancer every 10 years, Matthews said. And for those whose doctors, during colonoscopies, remove many polyps or the kind of polyps that can turn into cancer, a screening every three to five years, or sooner, is recommended.

The study showing colon-cancer screenings do save lives is good news and so is the increasing use of minimally invasive surgical techniques for patients with colon cancer, Matthews said.

Laparoscopic surgery ? using small fiberoptic scopes and cameras and long, thin instruments ? can leave patients with a scar of just an inch and a half, as opposed to 12 to 14 inches with conventional surgery, he said.

With minimally invasive surgery, there's less blood loss, lower risk of infection and less pain, he said. Also, patients leave the hospital and resume normal activities sooner.

"It's quickly becoming the gold standard to approach the disease laparoscopically," he said. "Now, 20 to 30 percent of colon surgeries are done laparoscopically. I would guess we'll get to the point where 70 to 80 percent will be done that way."

Staff writer Larry Mitchell can be reached at 896-7759, lmitchell@chicoer.com, or follow him on Twitter, @LarryMitchell7.

Colorectal cancer signs, symptoms

On its website, the American Cancer Society says colorectal cancer may cause one or more of the symptoms below. If you have any of the following, you should see your doctor:

* A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days.

* A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so.

* Rectal bleeding, dark stools, or blood in the stool (often, though, the stool will look normal).

* Cramping or abdominal pain.

* Weakness and fatigue.

* Unintended weight loss.

Most of these symptoms are more often caused by conditions other than colorectal cancer, such as infection, hemorrhoids, or inflammatory bowel disease. Still, if you have any of these problems, it's important to see your doctor.

Source: http://www.chicoer.com/ci_20238377/chico-surgeons-see-rise-advanced-cancer-cases?source=rss_viewed

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