Gastroenterology

Prostate Cancer: Know the Signs and Symptoms

After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type and cause of cancer death among men. Assessing your risks and symptoms for developing the disease can be deceptive. Age is by far the most common risk factor for developing prostate cancer as the disease is most prominent among men who are over the age of 65. Other factors – including family history and being an African American – are also common among those with prostate cancer, but definitely does not guarantee you will dev...

Heartburn: What It Is & What to Do About It

Heartburn. Almost everybody has experienced it, but there are a few things you might not know about it. 1. What is it? Heartburn doesn't actually affect your heart. It’s a burning sensation that’s located just below your breastbone, which might eventually spread to your neck or throat. The condition usually occurs after eating a big meal or while lying down. It can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. 2. Why do you get it? When food or liquid enters your stomach, a band o...

The Importance of Colonoscopy

We know you dread it. But the test, which detects colon cancer, could save your life. Just ask Central Florida resident Pat Thorbin. In my mid-50’s, I decided to have my colonoscopy, she recounts. I had no family history of the disease, no symptoms and no reason to believe anything would come of it. But after years of working in healthcare, I’ve always been a big supporter of preventative screenings, so I knew I shouldn’t hold off having a colonoscopy any longer. Pat had partak...

Colonoscopy: Questions and Answers

If you've been avoiding a colonoscopy, here are some answers to common questions that may convince you to give it a try: Q: Why should I get one? A: Colonoscopy can find cancer—the earlier the better. It can also find polyps, which are abnormal growths that can become cancer. With colonoscopy, if you get the polyps out, you eliminate the risk for colon cancer. It also gives your doctor immediate, direct access to polyps so they can be removed right away. That's not true with other colon ca...