SL_Health_0919_Reg4_Layout 1 9 / 12 / 19 10 : 35 AM Page 1 as simple and accessible as possible . Through an initiative known as Direct Access Colon - H E A L T H oscopy , one phone call — ( 610 ) 233 - 3161 for Einstein’s Montgomery County campus , ( 215 ) 456 - 5832 for Einstein’s Philadelphia locations — enables patients to schedule a colonoscopy without having to first undergo a preliminary office visit . If a colonoscopy does detect something to be concerned about , the surgery to remove After Cancer the cancer has come a long way . Rather than invasive open surgery , which required Advances in cancer care , research , and significant incisions and long recovery time , understanding give local families hope colorectal surgeons such as Michelle DeLeon , M.D . , are trained in advanced techniques for a cure . BY JILL LUPINE such as robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery to minimize the impact on a patient’s The door closes , and the physician’s diagnosis includes a word no one ever quality of life . If a patient has benign polyps wants to hear — cancer . It’s a ground - shaking experience , giving rise to a flurry of or some early cancerous tumors within the questions : What happens next ? Where do I get treatment ? How much will my life rectum , Dr . DeLeon can remove them through change ? Will I survive ? a procedure known as TAMIS , short for Once the shock and fear subside , it’s time to focus on the fight ahead . In the Greater transanal minimally invasive surgery . The Philadelphia Area , individuals who have received such a diagnosis have ready access to an organ - sparing procedure is performed entirely abundance of life - saving treatment and supplemental care . through the body’s natural opening , meaning In Willow Grove , for example , Asplundh Cancer Pavilion of Abington – Jefferson no incisions . As a result , patients who have Health provides virtually any care option needed , from diagnosis to treatment to survivor this surgery tend to experience a smooth re - support . The continuum of cancer care includes multidisciplinary clinics , radiation therapy , covery , without scarring , and return to normal private and group infusion suites , bowel function in short order . and an outpatient procedure “ With a less invasive approach , the re - suite , among other offerings . covery is much shorter , ” says Dr . DeLeon , The site’s architects designed who operates at Einstein Medical Center the campus to promote healing , Montgomery in East Norriton and Einstein through a wide array of support Medical Center Elkins Park . “ People get services , including image re - back to their lives much quicker than they covery to help patients manage used to , and they’re back to normal in just the appearance - related side ef - a few weeks . That’s not to say that all fects of cancer and cancer treat - surgery can be done with small incisions . ment . In addition , the campus And with regard to surgeries when a portion facilitates healing through nat - of the colon is removed , with time the ural elements , such as an abun - body acclimates . ” dance of natural light and out - Among all cancers , as many as 60 percent door gardens and walking paths . of patients will require radiation therapy Through TrueBeam , St . Mary In Pennington , N.J . , Capital during their course of treatment , according Medical Center offers highly precise Health Cancer Center has made radiation therapy to target cancer to the National Institutes of Health National found anywhere in the body . strides to become one of the Cancer Institute . St . Mary Medical Center in region’s leading providers of Langhorne invested in new radiation therapy treatment for patients contending with cancer . Cataldo Doria , M.D . , the former surgical equipment called TrueBeam by Varian to director at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in ensure that patients have access to the most ter Philadelphia , serves Capital Health as the center’s medical director . He’s joined by a advanced cancer treatment close to home . Cen number of experienced surgeons who have been trained in minimally invasive and robot - The TrueBeam linear accelerator utilizes ical ics - assisted surgery , as well as a team of oncologists and other providers who play integral a highly precise beam of radiation to target ed roles in patient care . M cancer sites found anywhere in the body , ary while avoiding critical , healthy organs . True - M t . MAKING PROGRESS Beam can treat any type of cancer , including S of Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers , but it’s also largely treatable as long brain , head and neck , prostate , lung , gyne - esy as people take necessary precautions to get screened for it . Unfortunately , some people shy t cologic , and breast . Another benefit : The our away from getting screened because of the perceived unpleasantness of the primary way to treatment can be delivered in significantly c ph detect the disease — colonoscopy . As a result , some procrastinate or simply choose to forgo shorter time compared with prior options — gra screening , giving any nascent malignancies time to grow and spread . o only two to three minutes , as opposed to hot Einstein Healthcare Network has made strides to make screening for colorectal cancer 10 to 15 minutes previously . P SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM SEPTEMBER 2019 16 |