Abacoa & Alton Neighbors - March 2023

M a r c h 2 0 2 3 | Abacoa &Alton N E I G H B O R S 7 Yesterday I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer Today I start the fight. For Next Day Oncologist Appointments call 561-263-4400. chemotherapy the rest of their life with limited survival.” Who is eligible? CRS-HIPEC is offered to about 20% of patients with advanced cancers who have undergone other treatments and intravenous chemotherapy and are still healthy enough to tolerate the often-grueling CRS- HIPEC regimen. After treatment, patients are followed closely to determine if cancer returns. LATE-STAGE CANCER? SEEK HIGHLY TRAINED SPECIALISTS Dr. Bhagwandin and his team of highly trained experts at Jupiter Medical Center offer this advice during the month of March, which is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: • Undergo regular colonoscopies starting at age 45 to screen for cancer of the colon and rectum • Look for common symptoms of colorectal and other abdominal cancers: bloating, abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, a change in bowel habits, or blood in the stool • If you have a family history of colorectal or other abdominal cancer, talk to your healthcare provider or a cancer specialist about more frequent or earlier screenings For advanced cancers, choose specialists that offer the necessary expertise in a multidisciplinary approach. Seek medical and surgical oncologists who are board-certified and who complete fellowship training in cancer-specific programs, where they learn the latest technologies and treatment regimens for late-stage and difficult-to-treat cancers, says Dr. Bhagwandin. Many patients often assume they need to travel to out-of-state medical centers for the ‘best’ cancer treatment, but he points out that expert, multidisciplinary care is available at Jupiter Medical Center for patients who prefer to stay close to home and family while undergoing rigorous cancer treatments and therapies. “If you’re not getting the answers or workup that your cancer requires, take the initiative to get a second opinion. Make sure a board-certified, fellowship- trained expert in your particular type of cancer is answering your questions and offering solutions as part of a team to keep your cancer from progressing while personalizing your care,” says Dr. Bhagwandin. Jupiter Medical Center offers next-day oncology appointments for patients recently diagnosed with cancer. For information, call the center’s Anderson Family Cancer Institute 561-263-4400. EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR