March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

As the month of March reaches the halfway mark, how many of you have taken this opportunity to schedule a colonoscopy? My guess is not as many as there should be. Of all the major cancers, colorectal cancer screening procedures are probably some of the most feared and avoided - and misunderstood.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the third most common cancer in men and in women. It is estimated that more than 141,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2011, and approximately 49,000 will die from the disease.

The good news is that colorectal cancer rates have been steadily decreasing over the last 20 years, and that is thanks to improved screening and early detection methods. Colorectal cancer is actually one of the most highly treatable cancers when it's found early. That's because most of these cancers start out as small, non-cancerous growths known as polyps. Early testing can find and detect these polyps, allowing them to be removed before they turn cancerous. Simply put, you can stop cancer before it starts.

There are several tests for colorectal cancer, with the most common being stool tests and colonoscopies. A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a thin, lighted tube is inserted into the rectum to allow the doctor to view the inner lining of the colon. Preparing for the test is more inconvenient than the procedure itself. In fact, people who are having a colonoscopy are given medicine to help them relax; many people sleep through the exam.

Both men and women, beginning at age 50, should have a colonoscopy once every 10 years, and perhaps more often if there is a history of colorectal cancer in their family. I strongly urge you to talk with your doctor or health care professional about which colorectal cancer screening procedure is right for you. Don't let a little discomfort get in the way of saving your life.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

A Record-Breaking Investment

On Saturday, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center hosted its annual ArtBLINK Gala at The Kirklin Clinic. I am extremely proud and excited to report that this year's solicitation campaign, led by the center's Advisory Board, raised nearly $1.5 million for the Cancer Center's Fund for Excellence. This is by far our biggest fundraising total ever!

The Fund for Excellence allows us to have flexible dollars that can be used to support high-priority areas where money is the most-needed. This includes research projects, recruiting new physicians and scientists, and services for patients and their families. With this money, we can invest in promising initiatives and help them grow into major successes.

Of course, I have to thank everyone who donated to our efforts this year, as well as all of our corporate sponsors. I also want to thank each of our 18 artists who shared their talents with us by creating artwork for our guests, which brought in an additional $28,000 to our total. The support of our community is critical to the Cancer Center's success, so believe me when I say that we couldn't do what we do without you!

I look forward to another great event in 2013 and to sharing our successes thanks to your investment in us - the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

Tremendous Thanks for a Tremendous Gift

BCRFA President Dianne Mooney
presents this year's donation.

Today, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center received an extremely generous donation from one of its most loyal and longstanding community partners, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. The BCRFA hosts events and other fundraising opportunities throughout the year, and in turn donates all of its proceeds to the Cancer Center for breast cancer research. I was extremely grateful and proud to accept their donation today of $500,000 - their largest contribution yet, topping last year's record by $100,000.

Particularly rewarding today was honoring the two people who started the BCRFA. Dolly O'Neal and Bruce Sokol are two friends who came together with a joint purpose and a common goal: funding the research that would lead to a cure for breast cancer. What began as a small effort with just a few people has turned into an amazing organization that, to date, has raised more than $3 million for breast cancer research at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.


That is one reason why it was so exciting to announce that in honor of Dolly and Bruce, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the O'Neal-Sokol Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama Endowed Professorship at its most recent meeting. This represents the tremendous impact they have had in the fight against cancer.


Part of that impact has been helping turn the Cancer Center's breast cancer research and clinical enterprise into one of the premier programs in the United States. And one of our leading breast cancer specialists is Dr. Andres Forero, who was also approved by the Board of Trustees to be the inaugural recipient of the new professorship. Dr. Forero has become a nationally recognized leader in the research and treatment of breast cancer, and the Cancer Center is extremely proud of his success and work.

The support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama is critical to our success here at the Cancer Center, and I am proud to have them as a community partner. They truly set the standard for a group who wants to make a difference in the fight against cancer. I thank them for their support.


-Ed Partridge, M.D.

Don't Forget to Make Your Cancer Resolutions

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year! For many of us, each January brings the opportunity for a fresh start by making a list of New Year's resolutions, which can be tough to keep, but well worth the effort.

Obviously, the most popular resolutions involve improving diet and increasing exercise. And for good reason, as there's no question that doing those two things can help improve your overall health. However, many people don't realize that as many as 30 percent of all cancers are obesity-related. So diet and exercise can not only help you lose weight, but it can also lower your risk of developing cancer.

There are some other "cancer resolutions" that I encourage you to follow this year, and they have to do with screenings for early detection.

• Get a mammogram. Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and continue to do so as long as they are in good health. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam as part of a periodic, professional health exam at least every three years.
• Get a colonoscopy. Both men and women, beginning at age 50, should have a colonoscopy once every 10 years, and perhaps more often if there is a history of colorectal cancer in their family.
• Get a Pap smear. Specialists recommend that women have their first Pap smears at age 21 and every one to three years afterward, depending on the person's age and medical history. When abnormalities are found early and treated properly, very few progress to cervical cancer.
• Determine if prostate screening is right for you. Beginning at age 50, men should have a discussion with their doctor or health care professional to see if they should be screened for prostate cancer and what type of test is right for them. For men at a higher risk of the disease, those conversations should begin at age 45.
• Stop smoking and stay away from tobacco products! Smoking causes between 80 and 90 percent of all lung cancers, and tobacco is a major cause of many types of head and neck cancer.

These are just a few ways that you can improve your health and either decrease your chances of developing cancer or increasing the chances of it being caught early. I urge you to contact your doctor or health care professional, and keep these resolutions for 2012. Simply applying the knowledge that we already know can make a huge difference.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

A World of Limitless Possibilities

Last night, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center hosted "Progress & Promise," its annual address to the community. This is a chance for the general public to hear about the advancements made at the Cancer Center during the past year, as well as future plans for 2012 and beyond.

This year's program highlighted two important aspects of the Cancer Center. The first being that 2011 marked the center's 40th anniversary. While the seeds of UAB's cancer program were first planted in 1968 with the death of Governor Lurleen B. Wallace from cancer, the Cancer Center really took shape in 1971 when President Richard Nixon declared war on cancer by signing the National Cancer Act. This piece of legislation established "comprehensive" cancer centers that would be at the forefront of cancer research, treatment and education. UAB was designated one of the first of these centers, and it has maintained that prestigious status ever since.

What We Know About Cancer

A new study in the British Journal of Cancer has reported that more than 60 percent of cancer cases in Great Britain can be prevented by simple lifestyle changes. Those numbers apply to those of us here "across the pond" as well.

We know that at least 70 percent of cancer cases in the United States can be prevented by lifestyle modifications, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, increasing physical activity, and reducing or, even better, eliminating tobacco use. This is especially important for those of us in Alabama, which ranks seventh in the nation for cancer mortality with 211.3 cancer deaths per 100,000 people.

During this time of year, when we all make resolutions to improve ourselves, let's make one to apply what we know and end cancer as a public health problem.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

Unsung Heroes

November is another busy month in terms of cancer awareness, as it is both Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and Lung Cancer Awareness Month. But it's also another awareness month that I think is particularly appropriate to recognize during this week of Thanksgiving, and that is National Family Caregivers Month.

Since 1997, every U.S. president has issued a proclamation recognizing family caregivers to raise awareness and increase support for the vital roles these individuals play in society. According to the National Family Caregivers Association, more than 65 million Americans provide care for loved ones with a chronic illness, disability or the frailties of old age. This certainly includes cancer.

I've often spoken of the importance of a support system for cancer patients. While their medical treatment team is obviously important, the support system of family, friends and other loved ones is also essential. It is those caregivers who know the patient most intimately and can provide perspectives and details that we as medical professionals may not be able to.

So as Thanksgiving approaches, and we take time to consider what we have to be thankful for, take a moment to thank the millions of people who make personal sacrifices to care for others. In many ways, they are unsung heroes.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.