By Christine Davis
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and at JFK Medical Center, Dr. Heidi Bahna and Dr. Juliet Ray are working to improve awareness about the importance of getting screened, which is the best way to detect polyps and prevent colorectal cancer, they say.
“The most common symptom of colorectal cancer is no symptom at all, and colonoscopy can find and remove polyps early, before they can grow and develop into cancer,” Bahna said.
Bahna and Ray, both board-certified surgeons trained in colon and rectal surgery, also want to make sure the community is aware of the recent change in the recommended age to get a first colonoscopy, from 50 to 45.
“We’re seeing younger and younger patients that are presenting with advanced stages of colon and rectal cancer that didn’t even meet prior screening guidelines,” Bahna said. “If we can find colon cancer in someone who is asymptomatic getting a screening colonoscopy, those patients will be cured of that cancer 90% of the time.”
In addition to screening, they advise that it is helpful to limit alcohol consumption; stop any use of tobacco; be physically active and move around on a daily basis; reduce consumption of red and processed meats, as well as charred meats; and increase fiber and water consumption.
For information about colorectal cancer screening and treatment options, visit JFK’s website at https://jfkmc.com/specialties/colorectal-cancer.
On Feb. 16, JFK Medical Center’s North Campus hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark completion of its Behavioral Health Pavilion expansion, a $26 million construction project. The pavilion, which offers psychiatric and behavioral health services, has grown from an 88-bed unit to a 124-bed unit with the addition of 12 adolescent beds and 24 adult beds. The pavilion is adjacent to JFK Medical Center, 2201 45th St., West Palm Beach.
As part of Florida Atlantic University’s new registry and repository to contribute to COVID-19 discoveries and knowledge, researchers are collecting blood and saliva samples from participants who have had positive tests. The registry is spearheaded by FAU’s Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention and its Clinical Research Unit.
“These data and specimens will provide information about the progression of the disease, treatment response, long-term effects and economic effects, among others. Currently, there are no databases outside of research collecting this type of information,” said Ximena Levy, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Clinical Research Unit, who is leading the project.
Recruitment is underway. Each participant must have a documented positive test report and be showing no symptoms of COVID-19. Appointments are required. To register, visit fau.edu/research-admin/cores/clinicalresearchunit/tested-positive-covid-19. For more information, call or text 561-235-4467 or email crudor@health.fau.edu.
In January, gynecologic oncologist Thomas Morrissey, M.D., FACOG, FACS, joined the Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute as director of gynecologic oncology. He is a specialist in the surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment of ovarian, uterine, cervical and other female genital-tract cancers. Morrissey also has experience in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery and radical surgical procedures to treat gynecologic cancers.
Previously, he was head of the division of gynecologic oncology for Cleveland Clinic Florida.
Morrissey will see patients at the Lynn Cancer Institute, Harvey & Phyllis Sandler Pavilion, 701 NW 13th St., Boca Raton.
Mamun Al Rashid, MD, and Vani Sabesan, MD, have joined Atlantis Orthopaedics.
Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Al Rashid specializes in total hip and knee replacement and orthopedic oncology. Sabesan specializes in complex shoulder and elbow surgery.
The orthopedic practice, part of HCA Healthcare’s East Florida Division, plans to expand to additional locations in 2021, including Boynton Beach. For more information, visit AtlantisOrtho.com, or call 561-967-4400 or 561-627-8500.
Delray Medical Center announced the appointment of its new governing board members for the 2021 calendar year. They are: Deputy Police Chief Richard D. Morris of the West Palm Beach Police Department; Dr. Jeffrey H. Newman, who is the center’s medical director of cardiothoracic surgery; Shelly Petrolia, mayor of Delray Beach; and Dr. Timothy R. Williams, medical director of the South Florida Proton Therapy Institute.
Palm Beach County Medical Society installed Roger L. Duncan III, MD, as its new president. He is vice chief of anesthesia at Palms West Hospital and fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
South County members joining the society’s board of directors include Gregg Goldin, MD, a radiation oncologist at the Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital; Harish Madhav, MD, an OB-GYN in private practice in Boynton Beach; Ali Syed, a resident at FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine; and Charles Szuchan, MS, a medical student at FAU.
Send health news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com.
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