Dr. Lee was born in Shanghai, China, and received his college and medical training in the United States. He is fluent in English and three Chinese dialects. He graduated with chemistry departmental honors from Harvey Mudd College. He was appointed president of AOA society at UCLA School of Medicine. He underwent internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Oral supplements of calcium and folic acid,
diets high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat and red meat, avoiding obesity, regular exercise, and
quitting cigarette smoking are safe measures that probably prevent colo-rectal
cancer.
Calcium supplements have been shown in animal and human studies to decrease
the number of pre-cancerous
polyps. Fruits and vegetables contain many chemicals that inactivate
cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens). Obesity, a sedentary life style, cigarette smoking,
and high red meat consumption have been linked to an increased risk of colo-rectal
cancer. In a large study of nurses, those who took multivitamins that
contained folic acid for decades had less colo-rectal cancer than women who did
not take multivitamins.
These measures are considered only "probably" effective because long-term,
large-scale, properly designed clinical trials have yet to be performed to
establish conclusively that these measures actually prevent colo-rectal cancer.
Doctors are willing to prescribe an agent without conclusive proof of its effectiveness
as long as it is safe. In many instances, conclusive proof may be many years away.
Anti-oxidants
are believed to have anti-cancer effects, but clinical trials using the
anti-oxidant vitamins C and A have shown no benefit in preventing colo-rectal
cancer.
Many agents or measures that are promising because they have theoretical benefits
fall short of expectations when subjected to rigorous clinical trials.
Colon cancer is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
Inflammation of the inner lining of the colon is referred to as colitis. Symptoms of the inflammation of the colon lining include diarrhea, pain, and blood in the stool. There are several causes of colitis including infection, ischemia of the colon, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, or microscopic colitis). Treatment depends on the cause of the colitis.
A colon polyp is a benign tumor of the large intestine. Benign polyps do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Benign polyps can easily be removed during colonoscopy and are not life threatening. If benign polyps are not removed from the large intestine, they can become malignant over time.
Anal cancer, cancer located at the end of the large intestine, has symptoms that include anal or rectal bleeding, anal pain or pressure, anal discharge or itching, a change in bowel movements, and/or a lump in the anal region. Treatment for anal cancer may involve radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery and depends upon the stage of the cancer, its location, whether cancer is eradicated after the first treatment, and whether the patient has HIV.
Gardners' syndrome, or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), is an inherited condition in which cancer of the colon and rectum develop. Colon polyps and growths may develop as early as the teens. If these polyps are not removed, they will become cancerous. There are different inheritance patterns for familial adenomatous polyposis.
The importance of a healthy lifestyle in disease prevention is widely understood and most people know that lifestyle changes and choices can be critical to good health. Yet, few practice healthy behaviors that constitute healthy living.
Disease prevention in men includes routine screening tests that are part of basic prevention medicine. Take an active role in your own health care and discuss screening tests with your doctor early in life. Age of screening and timing of screening depends upon the condition being assessed.
Disease prevention in women includes screening tests that are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests
are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may be available elsewhere.
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