Conversations Live: Colon Cancer

Originally aired March 20, 2014

Colorectal cancer kills approximately 50,000 people each year, more than any other cancer except lung cancer. And while new colorectal cancers in older Americans have fallen consistently since 1985, rates for those under age 50 have risen, especially among African Americans. But, there is good news—even though we don’t know the exact cause of most colorectal cancers, it is possible to prevent many of them, and there are several effective treatment options. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Panelists

Dr. Robert Khoo

Dr. Robert Khoo is a colorectal surgeon for Geisinger Health System. He has vast experience with laparoscopic colon resections, endoscopic microsurgery and reconstructive surgery for the colon. He has been board certified since 1987.

Dr. Hassan Sheikh

Dr. Hassan Sheikh is an assistant professor of medicine at the Penn State College of Medicine. He completed his fellowship training at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in hematology and oncology and is now a staff oncologist at the Cancer Care Partnership, a joint venture of Mount Nittany Health and Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute to provide state-of-the-art, personalized care for outpatient hematology, medical oncology and infusion services.

Cheraine Stanford

Cheraine Stanford is a producer/director at Penn State Public Media. Stanford was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 32. She went through surgery and 12 rounds of chemotherapy.