Borland-Groover’s newest procedures makes Colon cancer is the third most prevalent and deadly cancer for women and men. You can prevent it with thorough and timely testing. If you're 50 or older, get screened today. Borland-Groover partners with American Cancer Society The Borland-Groover Clinic, a well-established and respected gastroenterology practice, is partnering with the American Cancer Society to educate and generate awareness in the community about the importance of colorectal cancer screening. “We want to focus on colorectal cancer this month because it’s one of the few cancers that almost always is preventable when you are screened on a regular basis,” said Jack R. Groover, M.D., president and CEO for the practice. According to information provided by the American Cancer Society, there were approximately 108,070 new cases of colon cancer and 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer in the United States in 2008. The ACS also estimates that there were 49,960 deaths from colon and rectal cancer combined last year. In America, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women. Simple Screenings Save Lives “We try to make the screening procedure for our patients convenient by staying within their communities. We have 37 physicians in the Jacksonville region including Fernandina Beach and St. Augustine, and 11 physicians in our other office locations,” said Victoria King, practice administrator. The actual colonoscopy screening only takes about 20 minutes and patients may do the entire procedure including preparation in one day. “We hope that the preparation process becomes even easier for our patients and we’re doing everything we can to make it as simple and relaxed as possible,” King said. Colon cancer may occur due to polyps that form in the colon. If polyps are found during the colonoscopy screening, they can easily be removed at that time. Then, the patient will continue on a recommended screening schedule to prevent any further cancer risk. “Unfortunately, there are many more people who need to be screened, and our charge is to educate the community about the importance of colon cancer prevention. Help for a Population at Risk “Almost all colorectal cancers start as polyps that are benign. Once removed, the threat of cancer is removed. Next, we recommend continued screening to assure that there isn’t any new polyp growth,” he said. What is sobering is that only about 50 percent of the general population and perhaps 40 percent or less of minority communities are getting the screening procedure to prevent colon cancer. This is a critical health problem that the Borland-Groover Clinic and the American Cancer Society are working diligently to overcome. According to Dr. Groover, there is now new technology that offers another option for patients who are reluctant to have a full colonoscopy. Known as virtual colonoscopy, it’s a less invasive procedure performed with a CT scanner or X-ray machine where a picture of the colon is created without entering the body. Unfortunately, with the conventional optical screening and the virtual colonoscopy screening, patients still have to go through the preparation, which takes several hours to clean out the intestinal tract. “We hope that the virtual colonoscopy will induce more people to be screened,” Dr. Groover said. A Positive Prognosis Gastroenterologist Dinesh Madhok, M.D., who has been practicing since 1993 and as a physician with the Borland-Groover Clinic since 1997, says that we often find pre-cancerous polyps or even early colon cancer during the screenings. “It’s really very treatable at that stage. What patients dislike is the preparation, but the procedure itself is very easy. Usually we use sedation or anesthesia during the colonoscopy, and the preparation solution that we use is very palatable.” He says that practice physicians find polyps in about
25 percent of male patients who are screened and in
about 15 percent of the women. “Overall, colonoscopy
screening saves more lives and more dollars than the cost
of screening for other cancers, and is one of the most “If the screening is done properly, it should decrease
the incidence of cancer by 90 percent,” Take Charge of Your Health The ACS recommends continued screening because
people who have had colorectal cancer may develop
the disease a second time. People who think that they
or their family members may be at risk should talk with
their doctors and schedule an appointment for a screening The Borland-Groover Clinic serves the greater
Jacksonville area, the Central East Coast, and South Florida
from twelve conveniently located offices. The Clinic has
been represented in Jacksonville since 1947 through the
practice of the late Dr. James L. Borland, Sr., who was
a pioneer in clinical gastroenterology. The practice has grown to include 48 doctors with experience in detecting colorectal cancers, and is involved in numerous clinical Call the Borland-Groover Clinic to schedule a screening
colonoscopy; it is easier than you think. The Clinic staff
will be happy to help you find the nearest location most
convenient to you. In addition, the Borland-Groover
Clinic has a mission to help everyone receive medical To schedule a screening colonoscopy call:
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Have you made your appointment yet? Or give us a call! 904-383-1183
Committed to Preventing Colon Cancer.
“Overall, colonoscopy screening saves more lives and more dollars
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