Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Congressman Garamendi announces he has early stage, treatable blood cancer

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Rep. John Garamendi announces his cancer diagnosis in a video on his X feed on Monday, July 8, 2024. and his official photo.

Represents northern waterfront and western Contra Costa communities

By Office of Representative John Garamendi

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) on Monday, July 8, 2024, released the following statement about his diagnosis of early stage, treatable blood cancer:

“My wife Patti, a leader in the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program, ensures I stay vigilant about preventative screenings and care. Freezing abnormal bumps is standard, but a call from my doctor changed everything: “When will you be back in California? You need to come in for a series of tests.” Thus began my journey with early-stage Multiple Myeloma, a form of treatable blood cancer.

“Today, I started my path to remission with chemo-immunotherapy as an outpatient at Kaiser Oncology in Sacramento. With early detection, excellent doctors, and the love and support of Patti, our entire family, my extraordinary staff, and congressional colleagues, I know I’ll get through this while continuing to serve my constituents and advance American democracy. I’m grateful our President initiated the Cancer Moonshot and that California’s efforts in stem cell research and taxing cigarettes in the 1980s for cancer research have advanced therapies benefiting not only me, but every family dealing with cancer.

“Throughout my treatments, which my doctor expects will last a few months, I will continue working on my long list of projects and goals for my constituents in Contra Costa and Solano counties. However, alongside destroying cancer cells, chemotherapy weakens natural antibodies and the immune system. My doctors have cautioned me to minimize exposure to COVID-19, flu, and other viruses, so I will limit travel to Washington and public events during the treatment process.

“My thoughts and support are with families managing cancer or any health condition, and with the doctors, nurses, and medical personnel who offer comfort and hope. I am confident that the treatments will be effective, allowing me to continue serving impacted families and my constituents in Congress for years to come.”

In a video post on his X (formerly Twitter) feed on Monday, Garamendi read his statement and wrote, “Like 1.9 million Americans each year, I recently received the dreaded call from my doctor informing me that I had cancer. I am thankful to have caught this early, and we are confident that I will soon be in remission.”

The 79-year-old Garamendi represents the northern waterfront and western communities of Contra Costa County including the northern portion of Antioch in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa County resources available during excessive heat warning through July 4th holiday

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Locations of places to cool and cooling centers throughout the county on Thursday, July 4th, 2024. Source: Contra Costa County

(Martinez, Calif.) – The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Contra Costa County through Tuesday, July 9, and Contra Costa Health has issued a public health advisory. Residents seeking relief from the dangerously hot conditions can find resources and information by visiting the County website: contracosta.ca.gov.

The County site includes an interactive map of places to cool and cooling centers, including several that are open through the July 4th holiday (see below list). The County is updating these locations on an ongoing basis.

The site also provides health safety tips, transportation information, and additional resources and links to help County residents get through the next several days of well-above-normal temperatures that may lead to compounding effects.

Anyone concerned about heat-related illness should contact their healthcare providers or, if it’s an emergency, call 911.

People who are experiencing homelessness and need help can call 211 from anywhere in Contra Costa County to be connected to services. All Contra Costa can also call 211 for information about transportation to places to cool.

In addition to updates on contracosta.ca.gov, residents can follow Contra Costa County social media sites on X at @CCCounty and Nextdoor at https://nextdoor.com/agency-detail/ca/contra-costa-county/contra-costa-county/.

Four Bay Area students form company, create award-winning app to diagnose Parkinson’s disease

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The Zeno team: (left to right) Amala Valiveti, Anya Iyer, Eshaani Singh and Diya Vatsavai. Photo courtesy of Anya Iyer

Including Dougherty Valley High senior; is voice activated

By Allen D. Payton

Four high school friends from San Ramon and San Jose have formed a company and developed an app to help diagnose Parkinson’s disease. Zeno was formed by Anya Iyer, incoming senior at Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon, who serves as the company’s CEO, Diya Vatsavai, incoming junior at Valley Christian High School in San Jose, who is the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Amala Valiveti, an incoming senior at Silver Creek High School in San Jose, Zeno’s Chief Financial Officer, and Eshaani Singh, an incoming senior at Evergreen Valley High School, also in San Jose, who serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for the company.

The four girls met in elementary school. “We all four had been friends in elementary and middle school before going off to different high schools,” the young CEO shared.

“We formed the company before fully developing the app,” Iyer explained. “We started the actual idea itself in June 2021, established Zeno as a company in June 2022, and then finished developing the prototype and testing around June 2023.”

Company Description:

Zeno’s technology provides an efficient method of diagnosis for Parkinson’s disease based on vocal biomarkers. By detecting and analyzing early vocal impairments, Zeno’s system enables accurate and timely detection of the condition. This innovative tool enhances the diagnostic process, allowing for prompt interventions and treatment.

Zeno team won the Power Pitch Award at the 2022 Conrad Challenge. Source: Conrad Challenge

Their Story:

“We developed this application after our families were hit hard by Parkinson’s disease a few years ago,” Iyer shared. “This huge emotional toll on our families caused us to look into solutions for early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.”

“Looking into current market solutions, we noticed that many existing products either had low accuracy or were time-consuming and inaccessible for patients,” she continued. “After thorough research, we came across vocal impairments and biomarkers being one of the earliest hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease.”

Speaking with neurologists and medical professionals further deepened their understanding of the disease, and soon after, the team went to work developing their app. We spent months developing a machine learning algorithm and creating a viable business plan.

Eventually, they not only were able to share this app with their community, but the team also won the 2022 Power Pitch Award at the Conrad Challenge, an international business competition, in the Health & Nutrition Category, and became a Semi-Finalist in the Diamond Challenge, a national competition. (See the team’s virtual pitch video)

Speaking at the NEXUS Global Summit were team members Eshaani Singh (right) and Anya Iyer (left). Photo courtesy of Anya Iyer

“Soon after, we were invited to speak at the NEXUS Global Business Summit in New York City as the youngest speakers there,” Iyer stated. “At the summit, we were exposed to various venture capitalists, industry professionals and fellow entrepreneurs, all who encouraged and inspired us to continue innovating and creating.”

Since then, we have worked on testing our product with patients and improving our current diagnosis performance, while also focusing on funding,” the young CEO shared. Our hope is for Zeno to improve the lives of families everywhere, one diagnosis at a time.”

Asked for more details about the company, Iyer shared, “Our company is privately held, but we are raising funds through PayPal and Venmo within our community.”

Pacific Senior Care Services celebrates 10 years in business

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Kelly Gonzales is the founder and owner of Pacific Senior Care Services LLC.

Honored with awards each year

By Allen D. Payton

Having finished commercial aviation and tourism studies at Columbia College and working for an airline at an airport in Peru, Kelly Gonzales immigrated to the United States at age 19.  Then after working in banking and financial services for 20 years, she wanted to pursue her passion and did that by forming Pacific Senior Care Services in 2014 using her skills to help place people into care homes.

Gonzales was particularly inspired by the care her retired Army colonel and veterinarian father needed and received in Lima, Peru after he suffered a stroke. But she couldn’t really help him living over 15 hours away by flight. Instead, Gonzales and her team have been able to fulfill the company’s slogan and mission of “Meeting Elder Needs With Love and Compassion” in Contra Costa County and the Bay Area.

“My father was the main reason I started the business,” she said.

Now her company is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in business. Gonzales opened the company’s main office in Walnut Creek.

“I thank the Lord for enabling me to fulfill my calling,” she shared. “I never thought in my life I would be doing this. Working with the right people we’ve been able to help many families in the community. It’s been a blessing. I have good people around me, our support staff, and contractors.” She thanked them and “all those who gave us leads through the years.”

“Families who we’ve helped call us later and let us know of others we can provide services to,” Gonzales stated.

The company’s short-term plans include, “opening an office in Sacramento, later this year, Lord willing, and relocate our other office from San Mateo to Redwood Shores to serve families on the peninsula,” she said.

Gonzales’ daughter, who is a Certified Medical Assistant and attended Diablo Valley College, and now in the process of earning her nursing designation, works with her making it a family-operated business.

“We are also forming a homecare agency with partners in the industry,” she continued. They plan to also offer that service in the Sacramento area and San Mateo County.

Gonzales’ and Pacific Senior Care Services were chosen to represent the National Long Term Care Planning Council to create a team in the Bay Area.

“The San Francisco Bay Elder Planning Council was created to help solve critical aging issues and planning for the final years by providing a free central source of information, with senior advisors and professionals within our network,” she shared. “Guiding family members seeking help for their loved ones is the main focus. Another purpose of our planning council is to encourage people to prepare for the future needs for aging services.”

Awards & Honors

Under Gonzales’ leadership Pacific Senior Care Services PSCS) has also been honored with several awards through the year, including being named one of the 2024 Best Full Service Senior Care Providers in California by Global Health & Pharma Magazine, Social Care Awards.

Last year the company was honored in the California Business Awards 2023 as a Leading Provider of Senior Care Services – Northern California by the New World Report and in 2017 and 2022 PSCS was honored for Excellence in Customer Service by City Beat News.

The company has been honored with other awards every year they’ve been in business.

For more information about Pacific Senior Care Services visit their website www.pacificseniorcareservices.net.

New Contra Costa Youth Stabilization Unit opening for children, teens experiencing psychiatric emergencies  

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At Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez

By Contra Costa Health

Children and adolescents having psychiatric emergencies will have their own standalone 24/7 behavioral health crisis stabilization space in Contra Costa County starting Monday, June 24.

The new Contra Costa Youth Stabilization Unit will serve people ages 6-17 for the first 24 hours of a diagnosed psychiatric emergency when they are considered a danger to themselves or others.

Until now, youth in the county experiencing psychiatric emergencies were treated alongside adults in the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) unit at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. Children and teens will now be able to receive developmentally appropriate emergency psychiatric care in a dedicated space designed for pediatric patients that is separate from the adult PES.

“This is a huge step forward for mental healthcare for youth in our community,” said Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Federal Glover. “Having a dedicated standalone space for children and adolescents will provide our kids with a more safe, secure and therapeutic environment to help them heal.”

The Youth Stabilization Unit, located at 25 Allen Street next to the Miller Wellness Center, will be able to serve up to eight minors at a time. In 2023, there were 1,072 admissions for pediatric psychiatric patients at the PES unit. The majority of those admitted were adolescents and young teens who presented with depression and suicidal ideation or intent.

Contra Costa Health has contracted with Pacific Clinics to staff the new unit. Care teams will include psychiatrists, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, licensed psychiatric technicians, clinicians and crisis intervention specialists. Services will include crisis intervention, mental health assessment, medication assistance, therapy, alcohol and drug screening, case management and peer support.

The program is designed to provide a calming and welcoming environment to support mental wellness. The goal is to stabilize the unit’s patients and connect them with mental health services without requiring inpatient hospitalization, although, when clinically appropriate, inpatient care may still be recommended.

Many children and adolescents suffering mental health crises are either hospitalized or arrested, which can be even further destabilizing. Having a team of mental health professionals available to provide crisis stabilization at the new facility will help divert youth from unnecessary encounters with law enforcement or visits to hospital emergency rooms.

“The new Crisis Stabilization Unit will give youth experiencing a behavioral health crisis compassionate care tailored to their needs,” said Suzanne Tavano, Behavioral Health director for Contra Costa Health. “It is going to be a tremendous resource for our community.”

“Our team’s primary goals are to provide support and safety to these young individuals in a time of crisis,” said Mary Sheppard, regional executive director for Pacific Clinics. “We will be a therapeutic, landing spot for them and aim to instill in them the belief that there is hope beyond this moment.”

 

Kaiser Permanente invests $1.3 billion in improving health of Nor Cal communities

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Photo: Kaiser Permanente

Good health starts in the community

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

When you think of Kaiser Permanente, you might think of its hospitals and health plan.

What you may not know is Kaiser Permanente is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the health of the communities it serves.

In 2023, Kaiser Permanente invested $1.3 billion dollars in its Northern California communities and $113 million in the Diablo service area to support community health.

A significant part of these investments supported access to quality health care for people in need through Kaiser Permanente’s participation in California’s Medi-Cal program. The investments also supported 98,000 patients who received medical financial assistance to pay for surgeries, prescriptions, and other care at Kaiser Permanente Northern California facilities.

In addition, Kaiser Permanente made significant investments in the education of new health and mental health care professionals, charitable contributions to community partners working to improve conditions for health, and medical research to improve the delivery of health care for all.

Learn more about Kaiser Permanente’s efforts in your Northern California community by going to the Community Health Snapshot and clicking on “Communities We Serve”.

Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center recognized for patient safety

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Photos: Kaiser Permanente

Named to 2024 Cal Hospital Compare Patient Safety Honor Roll for having a strong culture of safety

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California 

With a commitment to providing high-quality, safe patient care, Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center has been named to the Cal Hospital Compare 2024 Patient Safety Honor Roll.

The honor roll uses objective, publicly available patient safety measures to evaluate hospitals across a variety of domains, including hospital-acquired infections, adverse patient safety events, sepsis management, patient experience, and the Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grade.

This year, 72 of the state’s 306 adult, acute-care hospitals made the honor roll. Kaiser Permanente Northern California had 10 hospitals on the list – representing 14% of the hospitals recognized.

“The safety of our patients is our top priority,” said Pam Galley, senior vice president and area of Kaiser Permanente’s Diablo service area. “Our health care providers work hard to create a safe, exceptional patient-care experience.”

Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are consistently recognized as among the country’s best for outstanding patient safety, positive care outcomes, and exceptional patient-care experiences.

“We are committed to providing excellent personalized care while keeping our patients safe from harm,” said Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Physician in Chief Sharon Mowat, MD. “We are very grateful for our extraordinary physicians, nurses and staff members who make a difference every day.”

Hospitals on the honor roll had to meet a rigorous threshold of performance by having at least two-thirds of measure results above the 50th percentile and no measure result below the 10th percentile and/or an “A” grade in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for the past three reporting periods.

This honor roll offers Californians a rigorously evaluated list of hospitals that have consistently demonstrated a strong culture of safety across multiple departments, according to Cal Hospital Compare.

 

Kaiser Permanente Nor Cal hospitals recognized for providing safe, high-quality maternity care

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Source: Newsweek

Antioch, Walnut Creek facilities among 13 named by Newsweek as America’s Best Maternity Hospitals for 2024

By Antonia Ehlers, PR & Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California 

Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are recognized as among the best in the United States for providing exceptional care to parents and their newborns, according to Newsweek magazine’s list of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2024.

Thirteen Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals received the prestigious designation: Antioch, Walnut Creek, Fresno, Redwood City, Roseville, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, Vacaville, Vallejo.

This is the fifth year Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals have been recognized for meeting rigorous standards for maternity care, such as low rates of elective early deliveries and following important safety protocols to protect new parents and their babies.

“Our Kaiser Permanente labor and delivery teams provide exceptional, high-quality care to help ensure these new parents and their babies have a healthy start,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “We take pride in providing equitable, culturally responsive maternity care that provides our patients with the support they need in a nurturing environment.”

Last year, 40,566 babies were delivered at Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals.

Photo: Kaiser Permanente

Supporting the long-term health of newborns

The national designation was awarded to only 404 hospitals in the United States with more than 64 of those in California. Kaiser Permanente has a total of 29 hospitals that received the elite designation — the most of any U.S. health system.

Newsweek and Statista, one of the world’s leading statistics portal and industry-ranking provider, have partnered for the third time on this list, given that maternity care provided from pregnancy through birth and into postpartum is key to the long-term health of newborns and those who give birth.

“This recognition is a testament to the clinical excellence of our physician-led care teams, who provide expert and compassionate care and support to our patients throughout their entire pregnancy journey,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, chief executive officer and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “We know the first step toward having a healthy baby is to have a healthy pregnancy, which is why we are committed to providing safe, equitable, comprehensive maternity care in a supportive, personalized way.”

Kaiser Permanente provides comprehensive pregnancy care

Kaiser Permanente Northern California has a long-standing commitment toward improving maternal health and the maternity care experience for our patients and members.

Our comprehensive prenatal care helps us understand patients’ health histories and lower the risk of complications. Members are supported to focus on their health even before pregnancy. If a pregnant patient has a high-risk pregnancy or a chronic condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, we tailor their care – including providing remote monitoring tools – to reduce risks, helping to keep mom and baby safe.

At Kaiser Permanente Northern California, we also partner with new parents to ensure they have the birthing experience they desire through a coordinated birthing plan that addresses everything from their delivery preferences to whether they want to breastfeed.

Support for mental and emotional health is another important component of maternity care at Kaiser Permanente. Regular screenings for prenatal and postpartum depression are part of every care plan, so we can connect those who are struggling with the care and support they need.

Cutting-edge procedure puts Clayton Valley Charter star athlete back on track

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Zoe Lahanas, a star athlete at Clayton Valley Charter High School, is excelling after surgery and sports rehab at Kaiser Permanente. Photo: Kaiser Permanente

The Kaiser Permanente Diablo Sports Medicine Department takes a whole-team, integrated approach to treating injured athletes.

By Eunice Park, Kaiser Permanente

In 2021, Zoe Lahanas, then a high school freshman at Clayton Valley Charter in Concord, was a competitive athlete in soccer, swim, and track and field.

Lahanas strained her left knee playing soccer, so she took a break from it. She continued with track, winning a medal for high jump. The day after that win, she returned to soccer and injured her meniscus and tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee.

The family wanted a physician who could perform a newer technique for ACL reconstruction, called a quad tendon autograft.

“Our team approach has created an incredibly unique partnership, which has been the secret to our success.” – Colin Mansfield, MD

“We interviewed three doctors to find the best one,” said Lahanas’ mother, Samantha Strong, a retired doctor.

The best one was Colin Mansfield, MD, a sports surgeon in the Kaiser Permanente Diablo Sports Medicine Department.

“Dr. Mansfield is on the cutting edge,” Dr. Strong said. “Zoe went from not being able to do anything in July to winning huge track meets the following April because of the ACL surgery.”

She benefited from Kaiser Permanente’s integrated sports rehab teams, which operate under a data-driven approach that focuses on getting athletes back to their chosen sport. Lahanas’ diligence and dedication, as well as the care from the surgical and physical therapy teams led to her successful recovery.

“Zoe has really been able to excel,” Dr. Mansfield said. “As soon as she returned to sports, she was making personal records.”

A whole-team approach

Sports medicine doctors work with athletic trainers at local high schools. Zoe’s athletic trainer at her high school diagnosed her ACL tear and contacted a Kaiser Permanente sports medicine doctor who got Lahanas an appointment within two days.

“That kind of communication and facilitation of care is really what makes the system so phenomenal,” Dr. Strong said.

As a busy referral site for challenging surgeries and injuries from other areas, the department offers the full spectrum of sports care, from advanced athlete recovery programs to state-of-the-art joint restoration procedures.

“Something that maybe not everyone understands about Kaiser is that we really are working at the highest levels with the newest technology,” Dr. Mansfield said. “Our team approach has created an incredibly unique partnership, which has been the secret to our success. I’ve been so fortunate to be inspired and learn from so many talented mentors and colleagues within our department.”

Brigham Wise, MD, a sports medicine physician with the Kaiser Permanente Diablo Sports Medicine Department, says the department’s strengths are its integration and collaboration.

“It’s a whole-team approach, and we’ve got great physicians and surgeons and excellent [physical] therapists,” Dr. Wise said. “We also focus on prevention to keep patients on the field rather than in our office.”

Getting patients back to doing what they love

The Kaiser Permanente Diablo Sports Medicine Department’s priority is to return patients to their normal activities as soon and as safely as possible. The group serves a large and diverse population. Patients range in age and goals.

“I really enjoy helping people get back to doing what they love,” said Dr. Wise. “That includes high school and college athletes, as well as the weekend warriors who just want to get back to playing pickleball or running their next marathon.”

Now a high school senior, Lahanas was able get back to the sport she loves.

Lahanas is a track star winning medals in the Junior Olympics and is being recruited actively by NCAA Division 1 colleges.

“What they have done at Kaiser Permanente in making things right is amazing,” Dr. Strong said. “Kaiser has done an incredible job of taking care of us.”

 

Cutline: Zoe Lahanas, a star Clayton Valley Charter High School athlete, is excelling after surgery and sports rehab at Kaiser Permanente. Photo: Kaiser Permanente

 

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month

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Source: Kaiser Permanente

“…it’s important that people with average risk get screened starting at age 45” -Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Gastroenterologist Arun Suryaprasad, MD

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women, and it’s the second most common cause of overall cancer deaths.

More young people are also getting diagnosed with the disease. In 2021, the recommended screening age for colorectal cancer was lowered to 45 by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

“With more young people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it’s important that people with average risk get screened starting at age 45,” said Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Gastroenterologist Arun Suryaprasad, MD. “Regular screening saves lives, and it can prevent cancer altogether by finding precancerous growths. At Kaiser Permanente, we encourage our members to keep up with their health screenings.”

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, and a good time to remember the importance of routine screenings.

“Colon cancer rarely has symptoms,” Suryaprasad said. “Most patients with colon cancer have no symptoms at all. Early detection is key.”

Suryaprasad is a proponent of the highly effective FIT (fecal immunochemical) test. It is a simple test that is safely done in the comfort of patients’ homes.

“Since launching our Kaiser FIT outreach program, where more than 80% of Kaiser Permanente members are getting colon cancer screenings done every year, we have reduced colon cancer deaths by 52 percent and have prevented the incidence of colon cancer by 26 percent,” Suryaprasad noted.

As long as FIT tests remain negative, they can be repeated every year for screening. Another at-home stool test offered by Kaiser Permanente is Cologuard testing. This stool test can be done once every three years, as long as it remains negative. Cologuard measures various types of stool DNA.

“If a patient has a positive FIT test or a positive Cologuard test, we recommend a follow-up colonoscopy exam,” Suryaprasad explained. “Colonoscopies are usually done every 10 years, but they may be done sooner if precancerous growths called polyps are removed.”

Earlier and more frequent screening might be recommended for those with a family history of colorectal cancer, who have certain health conditions or hereditary syndromes and who are at increased risk for colorectal cancer. Suryaprasad said maintaining a healthy weight with diet and exercise is extremely important.

“Smoking increases your risk of colon cancer,” he said. “If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. In addition, high processed foods, red meat, and processed meats such as hotdogs and deli meat can also increase your risk for colon cancer. A diet high in fruits, vegetables and fiber keeps your colon healthy. Reducing alcohol also decreases your risk of colon cancer.”

According to Suryaprasad, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping for several decades. A statistic he credits to people doing their routine screenings.

“Colorectal polyps are now being found more often by screening and removed before they can develop into cancers,” he said. “By encouraging colon cancer screening, we will continue to see this reduction in colon cancer. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives.”