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Oct. 17, 2009
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GASTROINTESTINAL PRACTICE ISSUES NATIONAL CHALLENGE AFTER HALF OF NEEDY PATIENTS SCREENED SHOW POLYPS
KNOXVILLE, TN - More than half of the 48 needy patients receiving free colonoscopy screenings from Gastrointestinal Associates (GIA) today had polyps removed, dramatically demonstrating the need for everyone to be screened in the battle against colon cancer.
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| Dr. Bergein (Gene) Overholt (right) of Gastrointestinal Associates (GIA) joins (from left) Free Medical Clinic founder Dr. Tom Kim and GIA Clinical Director Gina Rains in welcoming patient Gloria Hutchison, Knoxville resident, to GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day on Saturday, Oct.17. Forty-eight needy patients referred by the Interfaith Health Clinic and the Free Medical Clinic received free colonoscopy screenings during the event. |
Gloria Hutchison, 60, an uninsured patient from Knoxville, took advantage of the opportunity for a free screening at "GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day."
"I saw the sign at The Free Medical Clinic and knew I should do it," Hutchison said. "I have a family history of polyps. I am so glad I was able to do this; it's so important. They did find a polyp and removed it."
Polyps are typically benign, but a small percentage may contain a small area of cancer or develop into cancer. Colon cancer is the second most deadly cancer.
"More than half of the people screened today had polyps, and this is a higher percentage than in the population as a whole," said Dr. Bergein F. (Gene) Overholt of GIA. "This is a big step in the battle against colon cancer. It was a real privilege to serve this group of people."
GIA gastroenterologists screened recipients referred by the InterFaith Health Clinic and The Free Medical Clinic of America, two Knoxville-based charitable organizations that provide health care to those in need.
"Our physicians and staff volunteered their time for ‘GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day' so that these individuals will have the same opportunity as the rest of us to avoid this deadly cancer," Dr. Overholt said.
He called on other U.S. gastrointestinal practices across the U.S. to replicate "GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day" to help those less fortunate and to make everyone aware of the need for colon screenings.
"The national health care debate has focused attention on the role of physicians and other health care professionals," he said. "I think this can be a great demonstration of the concern medical professionals have for the well-being of their patients."
Periodic colon exams are essential to preventing colon cancer, especially for persons age 50 or over, Overholt said. Persons who have a history of colon cancer in their families may need to have the exam even earlier.
All of the 48 persons scheduled had their screenings today. A total of 25 had polyps removed and sent for testing, 16 women and nine men. Twenty-three had no polyps, 15 women and eight men.
In addition to The Free Medical Clinic of America and the InterFaith Health Clinic, screening sponsors include Anesthesia Associates of Knoxville, Mercy Health Partners, Premier Surgical Associates, The Endoscopy Center, GI Pathology of Memphis, Boston Scientific, Interactive Optics, the American Cancer Society and Braintree Laboratories, Inc.
GIA is one of the leading gastrointestinal practices in the Southeast, contributing to significant gastrointestinal research. Dr. Overholt won national awards for developing the flexible fibersigmoidoscope-colonoscope.
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