The Division of Gastroenterology also provides comprehensive clinical care. Through the high-risk colorectal cancer clinic, people with strong family histories of the disease can work with a genetic counselor as well as physicians. The gastrointestinal oncology clinic offers screening and treatment, and people with advanced forms of the disease can participate in large-scale, multicenter clinical trials that are evaluating new treatment approaches. He says it's also been shown that long-term aspirin use can reduce risk, although the optimal dose in unclear. It's not appropriate for everyone to take aspirin, though, so individuals should discuss this with their doctors.
Calcium is also under investigation as a chemopreventive agent.
Just as it's important for people to overcome their fear of or aversion to screening, they also shouldn't assume that a diagnosis of cancer means automatic colostomy. In most cases, the cancerous tissue can be removed and the colon resected - and it functions just as it did before. For more information about research and clinical care at Penn, you can visit the Division of Gastroenterology Web site . The information provided through OncoLink should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care.